■ 


■ 


■ 


ifW  fj.t  i  ■ 


FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


hbd\ 


TIIE 


Jubilee  Singers, 


AND    THKIR 


CAMPAIGN  FOR  TWENTY  THOUSAND  DOLLARS. 


By    G.   D.   PIKE. 


WITH  rnOTOGRAPHS    BY   BLACK. 


BOSTON : 
LEE    AND    SHEPARD,    PUBLISHERS 
NEW   YORK: 
LEE,   SHEPARD  AND   DILLINGHAM. 

1873. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1872, 

By  GUSTAVUS  D.  PIKE, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


Stereotyped  at  the  Boston  Stereotype  Foundry, 
19  Spring  Lane. 


PREFACE. 


The  following  pages  were  prepared  at  intervals 
during  the  summer  vacation,  for  the  purpose  of 
answering  numerous  questions  about  the  Jubilee 
Singers.  The  statements  respecting  the  illiteracy 
of  the  South,  the  campaign  for  Twenty  Thousand 
Dollars,  the  Fisk  University,  and  the  American  Mis- 
sionary Association,  are  reliable.  The  personal  his- 
tories were  gathered  chiefly  by  a  former  teacher  of 
Fisk  University,  who  has  rendered  me  great  ser- 
vice in  preparing  this  volume  for  the  press  in  season 
for  our  coming  campaign  for  the  further  endowment 
of  that  institution.  That  the  reader  may  be  inspired 
with  a  noble  enthusiasm  to  repair  the  damages  done 
by  Slavery,  and  to  restore  fourfold  to  a  race  that 
has  been  wronged,  is  the  most  earnest  wish  of  the 
author. 

G.  D.  P. 

Acton,  October  1,  1872. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE 

The  American  Missionary  Association.  — Collecting  Agents. 
—  The  New  Era 9 


CHAPTER   II. 
Value  of  Institutions.  —  Fisk  University 25 

CHAPTER   III. 
Teachers  for  Freedmen.  —  George  L.  White.       .        .         .39 

CHAPTER   IV. 

Personal  History  of  the  Jubilee  Singers.  .         .        .49 

CHAPTER  V. 
Nashville  to  Oberlin 73 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Oberlin  to  New  York.       ........     94 

7 


8  Contents. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Turning  Tide.  —  At  New  York 106 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
From  Hartford  to  Boston 121 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Boston  to  Nashville 138 


Appendix 155 


THE  JUBILEE  SINGERS, 


AND  THEIR 

CAMPAIGN  FOR  TWENTY  THOUSAND  DOLLARS. 

— *>^>3&&:<* — 

CHAPTER    I. 

THE  AMERICAN  MISSIONARY  ASSOCIATION.  —  COLLECT- 
ING AGENTS. — THE  NEW  ERA. 

I  HAD  been  travelling  four  months  with  the  Jubi- 
lee Singers  of  Fisk  University,  Nashville,  Tenn., 
and  being  worn  out  with  hard  work,  I  gladly  accepted 
an  invitation  from  my  friend,  the  doctor,  to  spend  a 
few  weeks  at  his  home  in  the  country.  He  was 
one  of  those  men  who,  by  the  very  magnetism  of  their 
presence,  give  flow  to  every  fountain  of  one's  thoughts, 
and  fetch  from  the  depths  hidden  convictions  of  the 
soul.  I  had  not  been  with  him  an  hour  before  I  wished 
he  might  know  what  I  believed  —  not  that  I  aspired  to 
instruct  him  or  make  him  better,  but  because  I  felt 

9 


10  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

more  sure  I  was  right  when  he  approved  my  senti- 
ments. He  was  the  favorite  layman  in  the  church,  and 
a  pillar  of  support  to  everything  that  was  good. 

I  had  not  been  long  at  his  house,  when  he  invited  me 
to  ride  with  him  on  one  of  his  rounds  among  his 
patients.     We  were  passing  the  old  homestead  where 

Deacon spent  the  last  days  of  his  life,  when, 

pointing  to  his  monument,  he  said,  "  That  good  man 
willed  his  property  to  your  American  Missionary 
Association.  I  remember  well  the  stories  he  used  to 
tell  us  about  your  society.  There  never  was  a  mission- 
ary meeting  when  he  did  not  report  your  work.  I 
jiave  been  familiar  from  my  boyhood  with  the  stories 
•of  the  slaves  who  killed  their  officers  on  shipboard,  and 
■drifted  into  New  London,  Conn,  without  a  knowledge 
of  the  country  or  the  language.  Boy  as  I  was,  I  read 
of  their  imprisonment  in  New  Haven,  and  their  first 
;and  second  trials  before  they  were  declared  free.  I 
went  over  to  Farmington,  Conn,  at  one  time  to  visit 
the  buildings  where  they  were  kept  at  school  until  they 
were  returned  to  Africa.  That  was  in  the  days  of  the 
Amistad  Committee  —  dark  and  terrible  days,  when 
the  benevolent  societies  thought  it  inexpedient  to 
meddle  with  the  slavery  question." 

"  But  did  good  men  in  those  times  realize  they  were 
doing  wrong?"  I  asked.  "Were  they  not  so  much 
in  love  with  the  doctrines  of  being  wise  as  serpents, 
'and  Jetting  the  tares  grow  with  the  wheat,  and  judg- 


American  Missionary  Association.    11 

ing  not  that  they  be  not  judged,  —  that  they  were 
excusable?  " 

"  To  be  ignorant  when  it  is  easy  to  be  informed  ;  to 
hold  false  principles  when  truth  and  righteousness  stare 
you  in  the  face  on  every  page  of  an  open  Bible,  is 
never  excusable,"  replied  the  doctor. 

By  this  time  we  had  arrived  at  the  house  of  Professor 
Smith,  one  of  the  patients  the  Doctor  was  to  visit.  I 
went  to  the  sick  man's  room,  and  after  the  usual  cour- 
tesies and  inquiries  respecting  his  health,  the  Professor 
remarked,  "  I  have  long  wished  to  hear  your  Jubilee 
Singers,  not  only  for  the  pleasure  I  expect  from  their 
music,  but  from  the  deep  sympathy  I  feel  in  the  work 
among  the  Freeclmen.  Your  Association  has  grown 
very  rapidly  since  its  organization  under  General 
Butler,  at  Hampton,  Va.,  in  1861." 

"It  has,  indeed,  been  wonderfully  blessed  of  God 
during  the  past  decade,"  I  replied;  "  but  you  will  allow 
me  to  correct  a  misapprehension  you  seem  to  indulge 
respecting  its  origin.  The  American  Missionary  Asso- 
ciation was  formed  in  1846  at  Albany,  when  it  absorbed 
the  Western  Evangelical  Missionary  Society  and  the 
Union  Missionary  Society.  The  latter  succeeded  the 
Amistad  Committee,  which  cared  for  the  cargo  of 
slaves  that  entered  New  London,  about  which  so  much 
trouble  was  made,  until  they  were  returned  with 
missionaries  to  Africa." 

"  I  supposed  it  grew  out  of  the  exigencies  of  the 


12  The  Jubilee  Singebs. 

war,  and  was  a  temporary  organization  to  aid  the 
Freedmen." 

"  Instead  of  that,"  I  said,  "  it  was  not  organized  for 
any  particular  race.  Although  its  constitution  says 
not  a  word  about  Africans  or  slaves,  yet  it  was  de- 
signed as  a  protest  against  slavery,  and  undertook  work, 
a  part  of  which  no  other  society  would  do  at  the  time. 
It  sent  its  missionaries  among  the  fugitives  in  Canada, 
and  among  the  freedmen  in  Jamaica.  It  sustained  men 
at  the  South  before  the  war,  where  efforts  were  made  to 
preach  a  pure  gospel.  Whenever  a  minister  or  mis- 
sionary was  persecuted  on  account  of  his  abolition 
sentiments,  he  found  support  and  sympathy  in  the 
American  Missionary  Association.  The  Association 
was  evidently  born  of  God,  and  prepared,  during 
fifteen  years  of  service  before  the  war,  for  its  great 
work,  not  only  among  the  Freedmen,  but  also  among 
the  American  Indians,  the  incoming  Chinese,  and  in 
the  land  from  whence  the  Amistad  captives  came. 
General  Butler  built  a  large  school  house  at  Hampton 
and  protected  our  teachers,  but  never  identified  him- 
self especially  with  our  work." 

"You  do  not  apprehend  that  the  work  of  your 
Society  is  near  its  close,  if  this  be  its  history?" 

"Not  till  the  millennium,"   I  replied. 

"  God  bless  you,"  was  his  answer,  and  we  took  our 
departure. 

"  There  seems  to  be  a  great  deal  of  ignorance  among 


American   Missionary  Association.    13 

intelligent  men  concerning  benevolent  societies.  I  was 
surprised  that  so  well  informed  a  person  as  Professor 
Smith  should  have  needed  information  of  your  origin," 
said  the  doctor. 

"  There  is  great  ignorance  concerning  the  work  of 
missions,  and  far  too  little  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
church  to  become  informed  how  they  may  advance 
Christ's  kingdom  among  the  heathen.  And  the  difficulty 
is  one  not  easy  to  be  mastered.  A  majority  of  the 
church  are  not  fascinated  with  our  Missionary  Concerts 
where  they  are  observed,  and  in  very  many  churches, 
agents  of  missionary  societies,  who  know  the  facts,  are 
not  welcome.  The  fact  that  a  publication  is  the  organ 
of  a  missionary  society  does  not  necessarily  commend  it 
as  a  periodical.  How  to  get  the  people  interested  is  the 
question.  What  will  they  read  ?  What  will  they 
hear?" 

"  This  opens  a  question  upon  which  I  have  studied 
for  years,"  responded  the  doctor.  "  The  fact  is,  clergy- 
men are  not  always  the  shrewdest  business  men.  It  is 
not  to  be  expected  they  should  be.  Experts  are  apt  to 
be  men  of  but  one  idea.  But  few  men  are  good  at 
everything,  and  it  may  be  best  that  different  men 
should  attend  to  different  branches  of  the  great  work 
of  civilizing  and  evangelizing  the  world.  The  church 
has  always  suffered  from  inexperienced  workers.  It  is 
not  true  that  men  have  been  put  into  the  ministry 
because  unfit  for  all  other  occupations  ;  yet  many  have 


14  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

been  encouraged  to  enter  that  office  who  gave  but  little 
promise  of  success  in  any  department  of  work.  This 
evil  has  been  often  serious.  The  managers  of  mission- 
ary societies  have  been  embarrassed  in  a  thousand  ways 
that  do  not  appear  at  first  glance.  Money  must  be  had. 
Who  will  go  and  collect  it?  Or,  who  will  inspire 
the  pastors  of  churches  to  collect  it?  Now,  it  often 
happens  that  some  man  finds  he  must  leave  his  parish, 
—  or  something  is  the  trouble  with  his  head,  so  he 
cannot  write  sermons,  —  or,  he  wishes  to  have  a  home 
in  the  city,  but  is  unable  to  command  a  city  church ; 
this  man  has  his  friends,  and  commences  to  interest 
them  in  getting  an  appointment.  Benevolent  societies, 
especially  the  newer  and  smaller  ones,  have  felt  some- 
what obliged  to  take  what  has  come  to  hand,  and 
especially  if  well  recommended  by  men  holding 
prominent  positions  in  wealthy  churches.  These  men, 
for  the  most  part,  have  been  dull  preachers,  retailing 
the  same  coterie  of  stale  facts  Sunday  after  Sunday, 
and  many  of  them  have  felt  that  an  extra  type  of  piety 
was  expected  from  one  engaged  in  missionary  work, 
so  they  have  affected  a  pious  twang  and  a  nasal  pitch, 
enough  to  curse  any  sermon,  and  especially  a  begging 
one.  When  these  men  have  gone  from  house  to 
house  with  books  or  tracts  or  subscription  papers,  they 
have  left  no  inspiration,  imparted  no  blessing,  and  the 
people  have  caught  no  zeal  for  the  work.  And  the 
reason  has  never  been  far  off.     They  were  not  men 


Collecting  Agents.  15 

who  could  impart  inspiration  anywhere.  If  they  had 
been  soldiers,  they  never  would  have  succeeded  to  the 
command  of  a  regiment,  or  even  to  a  captaincy.  They 
never  woidd  have  been  selected  by  a  railroad  cor- 
poration to  solicit  the  subscriptions  for  stock,  or  to 
superintend  its  management.  They  were  but  ordinary 
men  anyway.  Now,  the  business  of  the  church  is  hard, 
up-hill  business.  It  wars  against  covetousness.  It 
promises  dividends  that  are  payable  in  a  better  country 
in  the  far-off  future,  and  it  takes  the  rarest  talent,  the 
most  consummate  skill,  the  highest  type  of  oratory, 
and  finest  gift  of  persuasion,  to  advance,  as  it  should 
be  advanced,  the  interest  of  the  missionary  work 
of  the  church.,, 

"But,"  1  remarked,  uhas  there  not  been  a  new 
departure  respecting  these  things  within  a  few  years  ?  " 
And  I  instanced  the  appointment  of  several  eminent 
preachers  as  secretaries  of  benevolent  societies. 

" 1  hope  there  has  been  a  change  for  the  better," 
he  replied.  "  The  fact  is,  there  should  not  be  a  man 
appointed  secretary  who  would  not  be  competent  to 
manage  a  large  corporation,  or  indeed  to  be  the 
governor  of  a  state.  And  no  man  should  be  author- 
ized to  open  his  mouth  before  the  public  as  an  officer  of 
a  missionary  society,  who  has  not  such  weight  of  char- 
acter, and  gift  of  speech,  as  would  enable  him  to 
command  the  first  pulpit  in  the  Protestant  world. 
Let  the  missionary  societies  secure  such  men  to  present 


16  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

their  cause  as  Spurgeon,  Beecher,  Tyng,  Murray, 
General  O.  O.  Howard,  and  John  B.  Gough,  and  their 
work  would  be  lifted  out  of  its  present  plane.  The 
people  would  follow  such  leaders." 

"  But  ought  not  such  distinguished  men  to  be 
retained  as  pastors?  Could  the  churches  spare 
them?"   I  asked. 

"  The  churches  would  not  spare  them  then.  They 
would  have  them.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the 
great  work  of  the  church  is  its  missionary  work. 
Revivals  are  given  to  it  somewhat  in  proportion  to 
its  missionary  work.  Christ  and  his  disciples  were 
engaged  in  missionary  work.  The  New  Testament 
is  a  history  of  missionary  work.  And  missionary  work 
should  be  advertised  by  the  best  talent  in  the  world, 
because  it  is  the  hardest  work  given  to  the  church; 
therefore  the   strongest  men  should  grapple  with  it." 

"  But  would  the  people  allow  so  much  to  be  paid  as 
first-class  men  would  demand  for  their  services?" 

"  It  is  economical  to  get  the  best.  No  successful 
mechanic  fails  to  secure  a  master  workman,  let  him 
cost  what  he  may.  No  corporation  neglects  to  secure 
first-class  talent  regardless  of  expense.  The  indispen- 
sable thing  is  to  secure  the  aid  that  will  accomplish  the 
object.  And  the  more  difficult  the  object,  the  more 
essential  is  it  to  secure  the  talent  needed.  Now,  the 
Protestant  church  has  the  money  needed  to  establish 
missions  in   all  , parts  of  the  world  where  as  yet  the 


Collecting  Agents.  17 

missionary  can  get  a  working  basis.  The  gospel  story 
shall  be  told  from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  as 
soon  as  the  men  and  money  in  the  church  are  ready 
for  the  enterprise.  How  to  bring  the  men  to  the 
service,  how  to  raise  the  money  to  fit  them  out,  are 
the  questions.  To  do  this,  generals  are  needed.  The 
business  must  be  made  popular.  All  the  masterly 
energy  required  in  constructing  a  Pacific  Railroad, 
or  in  arming  a  nation  to  put  down  a  rebellion,  is 
demanded.  This  energy  will  never  be  put  forth  till 
the  most  powerful  men  in  the  church  give  themselves 
to  just  this  ;  until  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  church 
make  their  money  do  just  this ;  till,  with  a  grand 
march,  they  move  on,  regardless  of  ease,  or  luxury,  or 
fortune,  and  give  themselves,  body  and  soul,  to  the 
work.  Then,  I  apprehend,  the  church  will  '  go  teach 
all  nations,'  and  Christ's  kingdom  will  come,  and  his 
4  will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven.'  Now,  to  bring 
to  pass  these  things,  no  means  must  be  spared,  no 
narrow  policy  must  be  pursued." 

44  Very  good,"  I  replied ;  "  but  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  grace  from  God  must  accompany  all; 
indeed,  it  must  all  come  from  God,  or  it  will  avail 
nothing." 

44  You  can  have  the  Holy  Spirit  and  grace  sufficient, 

if  you  give  the  sacrifice  it  costs.     Robbing  God,  and 

hiding  the  wedge  of  gold  ;  keeping  back  a  part  of  the 

price  with  the  majority  of  the  church,  will  never  bring 

2 


18  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

the  Spirit  and  the  grace.  The  army  must  march  on 
together ;  and  march  to  conquer  or  to  die ;  then  He 
whose  right  it  is  to  reign  will  come  and  reign  King 
of  Nations." 

By  this  time,  all  the  hopes  for  the  future  that  had 
cheered  my  missionary  life  were  awakened  within 
me. 

"  I  think,  doctor,"  I  cried,  "  we  may  have  reached  a 
.day  of  better  things,  and  that  we  live  in  a  new  era. 
The  revolutions  of  the  past  few  years  have  broken 
ten  thousand  old  strongholds  of  prejudice  and  pride. 
Like  the  great  upheavals  that  have  changed  the 
■configuration  of  the  globe  during  periods  when  sea  and 
land  have  exchanged  places,  and  mountains  have 
melted  into  the  depths  of  the  sea,  so  has  society  been 
transformed  in  the  last  decade.  It  is  not  seen  sc 
much  North,  as  West  and  South.  If  the  world  ad- 
vances as  rapidly  for  the  next  half  century  as  it  has 
for  the  past  fifty  years,  we  shall  come  upon  some  era 
more  golden  than  prophet  ever  saw,  or  poet,  in  wild 
imagination,  conceived.  The  power  of  steam  has 
enabled  us  to  travel  almost  with  the  fleetness  of 
angels.  It  has  superseded  the  water  and  the  wind, 
and  obeys  our  will  with  wonderful  docility.  There  is 
happiness  in  motion;  positive  happiness  in  rapid  mo- 
tion. If  we  could  gather  up  the  pleasure  we  enjoy 
in  travelling,  and  compare  it  with  the  tediousness  of 
the  old  methods,  I  verily  believe  we  should  feel  that 


The  New  Era.  19 

God  let  loose  a  new  delight  of  incalculable  value 
when  he  made  known  to  us  the  power  of  steam. 
There  is  solid  pleasure  in  getting  news.  The  mind 
hungers  for  knowledge  of  passing  events.  Take 
the  pleasure  experienced  over  the  morning  papers, 
and  compare  it  with  any  happiness  derived  in  the 
morning'  hours  spent  by  our  grandfathers,  and  we 
shall  again  feel  that  a  new  joy  has  been  given  to  our 
generation ;  as  though  God  were  bringing  to  us  the 
beginning  of  the  millennium,  or  delivering  to  us  in 
advance  some  of  the  goods  that  will  make  us  happy 
when  that  day  shall  come.  Again,  the  numerous 
inventions  that  appear  upon  the  horizon  of  our  epoch, 
are  another  proof  that  we  have  come  to  a  day  of 
better  things.  We  may  abuse  our  privileges,  but  no 
man  is  bound  to  do  so.  Society  and  the  proprieties  of 
the  day  may  make  slaves  of  us ;  but  cotton  and  woollen 
mills,  and  factories  of  eveiy  sort,  heaters,  ranges,  and 
sewing  machines,  make  it  possible  for  the  women  of  the 
land  to  have  leisure,  and  indeed  pleasure  in  books,  in 
music,  and  in  recreation.  And  when  we  look  at  the 
methods  of  securing  food  for  man  and  beast,  the  work 
of  obtaining  it  has  almost  become  a  pastime.  Sowing 
machines,  reaping  machines,  thrashing  machines,  and 
steam  mills,  when  set  in  motion  on  our  great  fertile 
prairies,  give  grain  sufficient  for  the  nations,  with  no 
more  work  than  man  needs  for  exercise.  Cotton  and 
wool  abound ;  man  has  his  food  and  raiment,  and  is  fed 


20  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

and  warmed  with  one  half  the  trouble  experienced  in 
securing  these  things  by  the  generations  that  have  gone 
before.  Let  facilities  be  multiplied  for  two  generations 
more,  as  they  have  been  for  the  two  that  have  passed, 
and  the  pair  that  gathered  the  fruit  of  Paradise  could 
scarcely  have  been  more  fortunate  than  we  shall 
be  then." 

"  You  do  not  forget  the  improvement  in  the  art  of 
preserving  the  health,  I  hope,"  cried  the  doctor.  "  In 
the  millennium,  they  will  have  good  stomachs,  I  dare 
say.  I  think  the  theology  of  people  living  on  corn 
bread  and  pork,  necessarily  different  from  that  of  those 
who  have  beef,  fruit,  choice  vegetables,  and  the  more 
precious  grains.  Then  the  art  of  ventilation  is  becom- 
ing one  of  the  fine  arts ;  and  exercise  that  gives 
healthy  development  is  coming  into  vogue.  Physi- 
cians and  preachers  are  demanded  by  depravity,  and  as 
fast  as  the  race  becomes  physically  and  spiritually 
better,  so  fast  will  the  necessity  for  these  benefactors 
of  society  disappear. " 

"  The  church,"  I  said,  "  is  not  apace  with  the 
grand  march  of  improvement  in  things  that  go  towards 
our  comfort.  The  children  of  this  world  are  first  wise ; 
but  afterwards  the  church  comes  on  to  give  the 
perennial  glory.  If  we  mark  the  great  changes  God 
is  making  in  these  last  days,  I  think  we  shall  appre- 
hend how  he  is  marshalling  events  for  some  grand 
movement  to  bring  joy  and  gladness  to  his  people. 


The  New  Era.  21 

Literature  for  the  church  has  been  multiplied  and 
scattered  upon  the  four  winds.  We  have  been  praying 
for  China ;  sending  our  money  and  missionaries  to 
China ;  our  prayers  have  smote  the  heavens  for  China ; 
and  God  has  heard,  and  in  his  mysterious  way,  has 
been  sending  Chinese  to  us,  and  inspiring  them  to  learn 
our  language  and  civilization.  They  come  to  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific.  They  come  to  New  York  and 
to  Massachusetts,  and  learn  to  read  the  Bible  faster 
while  acquiring  the  shoemaker's  trade  than  heathen 
ever  learned  before.  More  men  will  be  prepared  for 
missionaries  to  China  than  our  contributions  would 
sustain.  God  seems  to  be  emptying  the  older  nations 
upon  us  to  drink  in  the  spirit  of  our  institutions,  and 
when  he  is  ready,  the  tide  that  has  flowed  in  upon  us 
will  ebb  to  its  old  resorts,  carrying  with  it  whatever 
of  good  it  may  have  gained  in  this  land  of  the  free. 
Africa  takes  of  the  blessing,  and  a  double  portion  — 
because  she  has  suffered  most.  No  such  day  as  this 
ever  before  dawned  for  Africa.  The  sounds  of  her 
heart-beatings  have  been  carried  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth.  Never  were  four  millions  of  people  discussed, 
and  loved,  and  hated  by  so  many  other  millions  of 
people  as  the  slaves  in  our  Union.  God  has  determined 
the  Negro  shall  have  a  place  in  the  memories  of 
men,  if  not  in  the  affections.  Outrages,  Civil  Rights' 
bills,  and  Ku  Klux  laws  keep  alive  the  great  que- 
that  are   vital  to  his  advancement.      I   have   thought 


22  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

much  about  this  in  my  journey  with  the  Jubilee 
Singers.  The  missions  of  our  churches  are  as  lights 
that  give  cheer  in  the  darkness  as  we  journey  on  ;  but 
the  Jubilee  Singers  are  as  a  most  brilliant  calcium  light 
thrown  out  upon  the  darkness,  calling  the  attention  of 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  those  who  flock  to  hear 
them  sing,  to  the  work  that  is  to  be  done  for  their 
people.  The  rising  generation  hungers  for  knowledge. 
With  the  utmost  ease  we  can  reach  these  heathen  in 
our  own  country,  and  feed  them  with  the  bread  of  life, 
and  what  armies  of  them  may  go  as  missionaries  to 
Africa  who  can  tell  ?  " 

"The  prospect  on  almost  every  hand  is  indeed 
cheering,"  replied  the  Doctor. 

"  To  be  sure,"  I  said.  "  I  have  sometimes  thought 
God  is  suffering  the  thought  and  energy  of  the 
church  in  our  day  to  be  given  to  construction.  Men 
labored  to  construct  the  Temple  in  Solomon's  time. 
The  Constructionists  had  but  a  brief  mission.  Then 
came  the  glory  of  the  house  of  God  for  ages.  So  now 
we  construct  railroads,  and  steamboats,  and  canals. 
We  build  churches  and  seminaries  of  learning.  We 
organize  missionary  enterprises.  We  invent  machin- 
ery, and  erect  factories.  We  print  books,  and  cause 
intelligence  to  take  wing  and  fly  by  mail  and  tele- 
graph wherever  there  is  ability  to  read  or  under- 
stand. But  these  days  are  to  pass  by;  we  are  but 
building  the  temple,  and  the  guests  of  the  Lord  are 
gathering  together." 


The  New  Era.  23 

"  I  often  think  of  these  tilings,''  said  the  doctor, 
"  and  feel  that  we  are  living  in  the  most  blessed 
days  the  world  has  seen.  Sometimes,  when  I  am 
attending  an  evening's  entertainment  in  some  spacious 
hall,  I  get  a  conception  of  the  possible  revelations  of 
the  future.  I  notice,  on  entering,  how  dim  and  shad- 
owy everything  appears.  People  are  massing  together, 
but  you  cannot  recognize  even  your  friends  in  the  dis- 
tant part  of  the  house.  The  splendid  paintings,  the 
statuary,  the  carving  and  the  frescoed  ceilings  are  ob- 
scured by  the  darkness  till  the  time  comes  for  the 
entertainment  to  commence,  —  till  the  distinguished 
personage  of  the  evening,  with  his  attendants,  arrives. 
Then,  by  one  turn  of  the  janitor,  on  flashes  the  light, 
and  every  person  and  thing  appears  with  all  the  beauty 
and  gladsomeness  that  heart  could  wish.  So  I  think 
it  will  be  in  the  visible  church.  The  multidudes  are 
gathering.  Vast  preparations  are  in  progress.  One 
workman  may  not  see  another  eye  to  eye  as  yet. 
The  ten  thousand  adornments  and  accessories  that  will 
gladden  the  millennial  morning  are  hidden  in  the 
darkness.  Nevertheless  the  beautiful  mosaics  of  the 
heavenly  walls,  the  golden  candlesticks  and  the  harps 
of  gold,  are  all  there.  The  great  table  for  the  marriage 
supper  is  being  spread,  and  the  garments,  pure  and 
white,  are  almost  ready.  When  the  fulness  of  time 
shall  come,  when  He  shall  appear  with  all  his  holy 
angels,  with  one  turn  of  Providence  it  shall  be  light 


24  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

Dark  night  will  roll  away,  and  we  shall  be  enveloped 
in  perennial  glory ;  the  hidden  things  will  be  revealed, 
and  we,  who  have  labored,  hoping  against  hope, — 
walking  by  faith  and  not  by  sight,  —  shall  be  filled  with 
eternal  rejoicings  to  remember  that  we  were  honored 
in  laboring  and  suffering  with  Him." 

When  he  had  said  this,  he  turned  his  horse  up  the 
yard  to  his  house,  saying,  as  he  did  so,  that  he  thought 
the  people"  of  the  church  would  like  tc  hear  of  the 
things  of  which  we  had  been  speaking,  and  promising 
that  he  would  secure  me  an  opportunity  to  address 
the  monthly  concert,  he  alighted  at  the  door  of 
his  office. 


Value  of   Institutions.  25 


CHAPTER   II. 

VALUE  OF  INSTITUTIONS. — FISK  UNIVERSITY. 

IN  the  old  New  England  town  where  the  Jubilee 
Singers  and  myself  were  spending  the  summer, 
the  people  were  intensely  interested  in  governmental 
affairs. 

They  had  given  to  the  country  some  of  the  first 
men  who  fell  in  the  battles  of  the  Revolution ;  and 
when  President  Lincoln  called  for  seventy-five  thou- 
sand men  to  quell  the  rebellion,  a  company  from  this 
town  rushed  to  join  General  Butler,  and  passed  with 
him  through  Baltimore  on  the  day  of  the  riot. 

There  were  many  abolitionists  among  these  towns- 
people, and  their  interest  in  the  slaves  had  been  pro- 
nounced when  it  cost  a  struggle.  The  war  had  opened 
opportunities  to  labor  for  the  freedmen,  and  the  inter- 
est in  tins  work  had  been  kept  alive  by  accounts  from 
the  missionaries  they  had  given  to  the  service.  The 
advent  of  the  Jubilee  Singers  was  of  great  interest, 
and  especially  so  from  the  fact  that  the  village  was 
retired,    and     unaccu  to    popular     sensations. 

WTien,    therefore,    the   clergyman   of    the    parish    an- 


26  The   Jubilee   Singeks. 

nounced  that  the  manager  of  the  Jubilee  Singers 
would  be  present  at  the  monthly  concert,  accompa- 
nied by  the  singers  themselves,  and  that  after  they 
had  sung  a  few  of  their  slave  songs,  he  would  speak 
of  the  value  of  educational  institutions  in  promoting 
religious  work,  and  especially  the  importance  of  the 
Fisk  University,  the  whole  town  determined  to  be 
present. 

The  evening  came,  and  the  house  was  crowded, 
and  after  the  usual  introductory  exercises,  I  spoke  as 
follows :  — 

"  Brethren  and  friends,  let  me  first  call  your  atten- 
tion to  the  value  of  educational  institutions,  as  forces 
for  good  in  the  progress  of  Christianity.  They  are 
fountain  heads  that  send  forth  streams  of  influence, 
beautifying  and  refreshing  the  generations.  The 
springs,  the  lakes,  and  the  rivers  contribute  no  more 
surely  to  the  growth  and  wealth  of  the  land  we  in- 
habit, than  do  the  church,  the  school,  the  university 
to  the  growth  and  wealth  of  mind.  Most  of  our 
schools  of  learning  were  established  by  Christian  men, 
for  the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom ;  and  though  the 
original  design  of  these  founders  has,  in  some  in- 
stances, been  perverted,  still,  even  these  institutions 
have  given  to  our  country  strength  and  permanent 
benefit.  If  we  could  learn  the  histories  of  all  the 
clergymen  who  have  graduated  at  Harvard  and  Yale. 
and  follow  them  through  our  own   and   other  lands, 


Value  of   Institutions.  27 

and  compute  the  good  they  have  accomplished,  —  the 
souls  brought  to  Christ  by  their  preaching,  the  minds 
stimulated  by  their  precepts  and  examples,  the  schools 
promoted  by  their  labors,  and  the  amount  of  moral 
strength  given  to  the  nation  by  their  lives  and  char- 
acters, —  we  could  have  no  doubt  of  the  value  of  these 
institutions.  Then,  if  we  could  gather  the  influence 
exerted  by  the  statesmen  who  have  been  educated  by 
these  institutions,  and  test  the  wisdom  thereof;  if  we 
could  measure  the  forces  generated  by  their  lives, 
and  take  in  the  magnitude  of  the  power  they  have 
wielded  for  good  through  the  length  and  breadth  of 
the  land;  we  surely  might  say  that  Mount  Olympus 
was  no  more  to  the  gods  in  story,  than  have  been 
these  colleges,  in  fact,  to  the  reigning  powers  that 
have  shaped  the  destinies  of  the  nation.  Then  we 
may  look  along  the  legal,  the  medical,  the  distinctive 
literary  professions,  and  measure  the  astronomers,  the 
philosophers,  the  chemists,  the  geologists  and  bota- 
nists, and  we  shall  find  the  sciences  have  marched 
through  the  colleges  as  through  an  interpreter's  house, 
and  that  had  it  not  been  for  these,  but  little  would 
have  been  known  of  the  higher  intelligences.  Col- 
leges are  for  the  discipline  of  mind,  and  the  disci- 
plined mind  masters  difficulties  and  unlocks  the  resour- 
ces of  nature  by  its  persistent  pointed  perseverance. 
Power  is  generated  at  the  university  as  at  no  other 
place.     The  more  educated  a  people,  the  more  supe- 


28  The  Jubilee   Singers. 

rior,  and  the  dominant  power  proceeds  from  them. 
Given  the  greatest  intelligence,  season  it  with  an 
active  Christian  conscience,  and  yon  have  the  greatest 
power.  The  wisest  and  best  counsels  have  .the  first 
place  conceded  to  them.  No  one  argues  for  a  mo- 
ment their  inherent  right  to  the  first  consideration. 

"  By  right  institutions  we  promote  wisdom  and  con- 
science. The  conquering  forces  of  New  England 
were  strengthened  to  the  mastery  in  the  schools. 
Wealth  follows  in  the  train  of  wisdom.  Education 
promotes  industry.  As  soon  as  a  boy  develops  taste, 
he  demands  a  more  elaborate  supply  for  his  person. 
He  begins  to  abhor  awkwardness,  and  will  labor  to 
smooth  out  and  make  elegant  his  surroundings;  and 
here  the  industries  of  the  nation  gain  an  impetus. 
One  has  only  to  go  away  among  savages,  to  be  im- 
pressed with  this  conviction.  Undeveloped  nations 
have  but  a  very  meagre  supply  of  implements  of 
utility.  An  Indian  woman  can  carry  on  her  head 
the  household  goods  of  her  family ;  and  the  arts  have 
but  little  patronage,  because  education  does  not  create 
a  demand.  What  is  needed  to  promote  industry  is 
a  market.  Given  a  demand  for  anything  that  man 
can  contrive,  and  very  soon  a  thousand  busy  fingers 
are  at  work  to  supply  the  demand.  Now,  nothing 
awakens  desires  and  creates  want  like  educational 
institutions.  They  cause  the  difference  between  civ- 
ilized and  uncivilized  people.     Nothing    will  make  a 


Value  of   Institutions.  20 

market  for  the  things  produced  in  factories  so  surely 
as  the  school-house  and  the  church.  Nothing  has 
made  New  England  what  she  is  to-day  but  her  edu- 
cational institutions  —  the  church  and  the  school. 
These  are  the  springs  of  wealth,  and  prosperity,  and 
influence.  To  calculate  the  influence  of  a  state,  then, 
so  far  as  religion,  intelligence,  and  wealth  give  influ- 
ence, we  may  find  our  base  line  from  the  church  to 
the  college.  Tell  us  of  your  population,  your  schools 
and  churches,  and  the  efficiency  of  these  as  known 
terms,  and  we  can  with  much  accuracy  tell  the  influ- 
ence, prosperity,  and  stability  of  that  state.  For  ex- 
ample, the  state  best  supplied  with  college  facilities 
and  church  enterprises  is  Connecticut.  And  this 
state,  in  proportion  to  its  population,  is  the  wealthi- 
est, and  a  larger  average  of  its  children  have  occu- 
pied eminent  positions  than  those  of  any  other  state. 
Now,  what  is  needed  throughout  the  country  are  these 
forces.  They  will  balance  our  civilization.  The}T  will 
promote  industries  all  over  the  land.  They  will  make 
us  powerful  and  wealthy.  It  is  the  office,  therefore, 
of  the  statesman,  as  well  as  of  the  philanthropist, 
to  establish  right  educational  institutions  in  the  more 
ignorant  and  destitute  sections  of  our  country.  'By 
comparing  the  population  and  the  number  of  persons 
in  the  classical  department  of  college  in  four  of  the 
New  England  States  with  the  population  and  persons 
in  college  in  four  of  the  Southern  States,  taking  Con- 


30  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

necticut,  Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  and  New  Hamp- 
shire, north,  and  Tennessee,  Virginia,  North  Carolina, 
and  South  Carolina,  south,  and  we  find  that  Connec- 
ticut has  in  college  1  person  in  every  630  of  her 
population ;  Rhode  Island,  1  in  every  965 ;  Massa- 
chusetts, 1  in  every  1291 ;  and  New  Hampshire,  1 
in  every  1054.  Tennessee,  1  in  every  4935 ;  Virgin- 
ia, 1  in  every  3877 ;  North  Carolina,  1  in  every  5126 ; 
and  South  Carolina,  1  in  every  7840.  Aggregating 
these,  the  four  New  England  States  mentioned  above 
have  in  college  1  person  to  every  982  of  their  popu- 
lation ;  while  the  four  Southern  States,  which  were 
settled  nearly  as  early  as  the  New  England  States 
cited,  have  in  the  Classical  Department  but  1  person 
in  every  5102  of  their  population. 

"  For  4,000,000  freed  people  at  the  South,  as  yet  but 
1  person  in  every  40,000  is  in  college ;  and  of  these, 
eighty  per  cent,  are  in  institutions  which  have  been 
founded  in  the  interests  of  the  colored  people  by  north- 
ern benevolence,  assisted  by  the  government  through 
the  Freedmen's  Bureau. 

"To  develop  industries  at  the  South,  to  give  it 
abiding  power  and  moral  force  equal  to  that  of 
New  England,  it  must  have  equal  educational  priv- 
ileges. To  help  provide  these,  especially  for  the 
most  helpless  and  neglected  classes,  is  the  special 
mission  to  which,  in  the  providence  of  God,  the 
American  Missionary  Association  has  been  called.    Un- 


Fisk   University.  31 

der  its  auspices  seven  institutions,  so  located  as  to 
reach  in  their  influence  the  whole  South,  have  been 
founded,  and  are  being  developed  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible in  the  nature  of  the  case,  after  the  model  of 
New  England  colleges  and  universities.  One  of  the 
earliest  established  of  these  institutions  was  Fisk 
University.  It  was  chartered  in  August,  1867.; 
and  located  in  Nashville,  Tenn.  Situated  in  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  and  productive  of  the  Southern 
States,  it  is  safe  to  prophesy  of  its  future.  No  more 
healthful  climate  on  the  continent  is  found  than  that 
which  rests,  like  a  perpetual  charm,  over  this  section 
of  our  country.  Orchards  abound,  bearing  all  manner 
of  fruits  ;  grasses  cushion  the  landscape,  affording 
sweet  and  nutritious  sustenance  for  the  herds  that 
luxuriate  through  the  valleys  and  over  its  mountains ; 
the  soil  produces  cotton,  corn,  wheat,  and  all  manner 
of  vegetables,  in  great  abundance ;  mountains  and 
plains,  rivers  and  brooks,  forests  and  groves,  give  the 
most  pleasing  variety,  and  charm  the  traveller  like  a 
romance.  Nothing  but  right  institutions  are  needed 
to  make  Tennessee  the  garden  state  of  the  South. 
Nashville  has  long  had  a  fame  in  history  as  an  attrac- 
tive educational  centre.  A  University,  with  spacious 
buildings  on  ample  grounds,  attracted  before  the  war 
many  of  the  sons  of  the  South  to  this  beautiful  city. 
Yet  the  idea  of  educating  the  poorer  classes  did  not 
formerly  obtain  in  tins  state.     Slavery  promotes  aris- 


32  The   Jubilee   Singers 

tocracies ;  schools,  democracies ;  and  Tennessee  was 
wedded  to  slavery.  The  Fisk  University  was  estab- 
lished to  introduce  the  reign  of  equal  educational  priv- 
ileges and  equal  rights,  which,  if  successful,  would 
necessarily  revolutionize  the  state.  With  a  territory  of 
forty-five  thousand  square  miles,  and  a  population  of 
more  than  a  million,  Tennessee  awaits  a  reformation 
and  a  glory  that  shall  be  unsurpassed.  To  inaugurate 
this  glory,  New  England  ideas  must  come  in  like  the 
rays  of  the  morning  sun,  and  an  ample  supply  of 
common  schools,  open  for  all,  must  be  provided. 

"  How  welcome  these  ideas  will  be  under  the  new 
condition  of  things,  and  what  confidence  the  friends 
of  the  Fisk  University  are  warranted  in  entertaining 
respecting  its  future,  may  perhaps  be  gathered  from 
a  resume  of  its  past  history,  and  a  statement  of  its 
present  plans  and  prospects.  The  founders  of  the 
university  had  one  very  necessary  qualification  foi 
their  task;  they  had  ideas  of  what  was  needed,  and 
very  correct  ones.  We  find  that  in  1867,  a  letter 
was  put  forth  bearing  the  names  of  John  Eaton,  Jr., 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  Hon.  W.  Bos- 
son,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Common  Schools,  and 
A.  E.  Alden,  Mayor  of  Nashville,  containing  these 
words :  — 

"  '  We  believe  that  the  best  way  to  permanently 
establish  and  perpetuate  schools  among  the  colored 
people  at  the  South,  is  to  establish  good  normal  or 


Fisk  University.  33 

training  schools  for  the  education  of  teachers.  Our 
reasons  for  this  belief  are,  1st.  The  education  of 
the  colored  people  is  of  more  importance  just  now 
than  any  other  matters  pertaining  to  the  political  and 
social  relations  of  the  people  in  the  Southern  States. 
2d.  The  investment  of  funds  in  normal  or  training 
schools  for  colored  teachers,  would  perpetuate  the 
benefit,  by  providing  a  superior  class  of  teachers.' 
These  views  were  held  by  the  trustees  of  Fisk  Uni- 
versity, to  which  we  find  added,  by  Professor  John 
Ogden,  who  was  at  that  time  Principal  of  the  school, 
the  following :  — 

" ■  Another  peculiar  object  of  this  school  is  to  illus- 
trate in  practice,  what  most  educators  are  willing  to 
admit  in  theory,  that  conversion  is  the  proper  door 
into  the  kingdom  of  science,  as  well  as  into  the  king- 
dom of  heaven ;  that  those  who  climb  up  some  other 
way  add  to  their  weakness  and  wickedness,  more  fre- 
quently than  they  do  to  their  power  or  goodness; 
that  religion  can  be  taught  without  teaching  sectari- 
anism ;  that  science  and  religion  were  made  to  go 
hand  in  hand ;  that  the  two  joined  are  the  Heaven- 
appointed  means  of  lighting  humanity  to  its  proper 
standing  and  true  dignity.' 

"  How  well  this  practical  view  was  realized,  may 

be  surmised  by  the   circumstance  that  nearly  all  of 

the  fifty  who  were  taken  in  at  the  Home  from  the 

plantations  and  the  cabins,  became  hopeful  Christians 

3 


34  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

during  the  first  year.  And  how  prominent  the  idea 
of  the  need  of  conversion  has  been  made  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  school,  may  be  inferred  from  its  report  in 
1871,  where  we  read,  '  Of  the  ninety-nine  pupils  who 
share  the  blessings  of  the  Home,  thirty-two  have 
become  Christians  this  year,  and  forty-one  were  al- 
ready professors  of  religion,  most  of  them  through 
the  influence  of  the  school  in  former  years.  It  is 
worthy  of  note  that  all  the  young  ladies  and  misses 
are  professors  of  religion.' 

"  So  much  respecting  the  ideas  of  the  founders  of 
tthe  University. 

"  In  order  to  give  a  correct  estimate  of  the  prog- 
ress of  the  educational  work  at  this  institution,  it 
must  be  stated  that  the^  Fisk  University  was  devel- 
oped from  the  Fisk  School,  which  was  opened  in 
1866,  and  named  for  General  Clinton  B.  Fisk,  who 
was  for  a  time  in  charge  of  the  work  of  the  Freed- 
•men's  Bureau,  at  Nashville.  Large  military  hospital 
buildings  were  converted  into  school-rooms,  and  opened 
as  a  free  public  school.  The  attendance  averaged 
over  a  thousand  pupils  a  year  until  1867,  when  the 
city  made  some  provision  for  public  schools  where 
colored  children  might  be  educated.  After  this 
change,  which  relieved  the  Fisk  School  of  many  of  its 
students,  a  portion  of  its  buildings  were  transformed 
into  students'  dormitories.  A  dormitory  for  girls  was 
constructed,  a  comfortable  chapel  built,  and  students 


Fisk  University.  35 

eager  for  a  higher  education  began  to  gather  from 
abroad.  The  annual  attendance  since  that  time  has 
been  over  four  hundred,  about  one  hundred  of  whom 
have  been  from  abroad,  and  boarded  at  the  institution. 
In  1870  and  1871  the  number  of  boarders  was  greater 
than  could  be  comfortably  accommodated,  and  en- 
larged facilities,  both  for  boarding  and  instruction,  had 
become  a  necessity.  Temporary  relief  could  be  af- 
forded by  erecting  additional  buildings  upon  the  pres- 
ent site ;  but  this  would  only  postpone  the  crisis,  as 
the  location,  which  had  been  favorable  for  six  years 
of  initiatory  work,  was  very  unsuitable  for  the  perma- 
nent work  of  the  University.  It  was  clearly  seen  and 
keenly  felt,  by  trustees,  teachers,  and  students,  that  a 
new  site,  appropriate  and  ample,  must  be  secured, 
and  suitable  permanent  University  buildings  erected  in 
place  of  those  fast  falling  into  decay,  or  the  develop- 
ment of  the  institution  checked,  and  the  bright  prom- 
ise of  its  growth  and  usefulness  delayed,  if  not  defeated 
in  its  fulfilment.  The  perplexing  question  was,  '  How 
can  the  large  amount  of  money  required  for  these 
purposes  be  secured  ?  '  The  circumstances  and  the 
times  did  not  seem  favorable  for  an  attempt  to  raise 
the  money  by  personal  solicitations  in  the  North, 
nor  was  there  a  suitable  person  at  command  to  under- 
take the  agenc}r.  The  success  of  the  past,  and  the 
golden  opportunities  of  the  future,  made  it  evident 
the  work  must  go  forward ;  and  God's  hand  was  so 


36  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

apparent  in  all  that  had  been  done,  it  was  believed 
he  would  make  it  possible  for  the  friends  of  the 
University  to  secure  the  money  needed.  So,  at  the 
anniversary  exercises  in  June,  1871,  the  absorbing 
thought  was  concerning  the  manner  in  which  God 
would  provide  the  means  to  equip  the  institution  for 
its  great  work.  The  answer  came  from  within  the 
institution,  through  Professor  George  L.  White,  the 
Treasurer,  and  a  number  of  students,  who  volun- 
teered to  go  out  with  him  for  a  season,  and  earn 
money  by  giving  concerts. 

"  The  amount  they  should  attempt  to  raise  was 
not  determined,  as  the  enterprise  would  be  but  an 
experiment,  the  issue  of  which  none  could  tell. 

"  The  volunteers  prepared  themselves  during  the 
summer  vacation,  and  on  the  6th  of  October  started 
for  the  North,  and  remained  in  the  field  till  the  first 
of  May  the  year  following,  when  they  returned  with 
$20,000  as  the  financial  result  of  their  venture.  At 
this  time,  the  permanency  of  the  University  was  as- 
sured, and  a  desirable  location  for  the  new  buildings 
placed  within  reach  of  the  trustees,  by  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  to  be  occupied  according  to 
their  pleasure. 

"  I  will  not  take  your  time  by  speaking  of  the 
College  Freshman  Class  of  the  University,  of  the  great 
success  of  the  students  from  this  school  who  have 
gone  out  to  teach,  or  by  enlarging  upon  the  Sabbath 


Fisk   University.  37 

school  or  church  work,  under  the  able  management  of 
Rev.  II.  S.  Bennett;  but  will  close  with  a  brief  state- 
ment of  its  present  plans  and  prospects.  First,  it  is 
proposed  to  erect  4  Jubilee  Hall,'  at  a  cost  of  about 
$45,000,  which  will  be  the  Ladies'  Seminary  build- 
ing, containing  the  dormitories  for  girls,  and  the 
boarding  arrangements  for  the  institution.  This  will 
be  followed  by  a  second  building,  containing  dormi- 
tories for  young  men,  with  school-rooms ;  and,  in 
time,  a  third  building  will  be  erected,  especially  for 
school-rooms,  library,  cabinet,  etc. 

"It  is  expected  that  'Jubilee  Hall'  will  be  dedi- 
cated at  the  annual  Commencement,  in  1873.  The 
providence  of  God  alone  can  determine  how  soon  the 
erection  of  Jubilee  Hall  shall  be  followed  by  the  other 
buildings.  It  is  hoped  that  the  Singers  who  have 
consented  to  sing  another  year,  may  earn  an  amount 
sufficient,  together  with  the  820,000  already  raised,  to 
pay  for  the  site  offered  them,  and  the  construction  of 
Jubilee  Hall ;  and  upon  their  endeavors  to  do  so  they 
invoke  the  blessing  of  God  and  the  sympathies  and 
prayers  of  all  good  men." 

When  I  had  said  this,  and  was  about  to  take  my 
seat,  a  brother  asked  if  I  would  favor  them  with  the 
names  of  the  Faculty  and  Trustees  of  the  University  ; 
to  whom  I  replied,  "  The  teachers  for  1871  and  1872 
were,  — 


38  The   Jubilee   Singees. 

Professor  A.  K.  Spence,  M.  A. 

Rev.  H.  S.  Bennett,  M.  A. 

George  L.  White,  Esq. 

Miss  Helen  C.  Morgan,  B.  A. 

Austin  H.  Burr,  B.  A. 

H.  W.  Hubbard,  M.  S. 

Miss  Henrietta  Matson. 

Miss  Celia  E.  Burr. 

Miss  Mary  C.  Day. 

Miss  Emma  E.  Cross. 

Miss  Ella  Sheppard. 

Miss  Rebecca  Massey. 

Miss  Sarah  M.  Wells. 

Miss  Mary  L.  Santley. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  for  1871  and  1872  were,  — 

General  Clinton  B.  Fisk,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  President. 
Rev.  H.  S.  Bennett,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Secretary. 
George  L.  White,  Esq.,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Treasurer, 
Rev.  E.  M.  Cravath,  New  York  City. 
Rev.  M.  E.  Strieby,  New  York  City. 
Hon.  John  Eaton,  Jr.,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Hon.  John  Lawrence,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
John  J.  Cary,  Esq.,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Enos  Hopkins,  Esq.,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

After  the  Jubilee  Singers  had  sung  "  What  Shall 
the  Harvest  be,"  the  meeting  closed  with  the  Bene- 
diction. 


Teachers  for  Freedmen.  39 


CHAPTER    III. 

TEACHERS  FOR  FREEDMEN.  —  GEORGE  L.  WHITE. 

AFTER  I  had  given  a  full  account  of  the  Fisk 
University  in  the  monthly  concert,  I  found 
there  was  some  curiosity  to  know  more  of  the  class 
of  persons  who  had  established  these  Freedmen's 
institutions  at  the  South.  I  was  pleased  to  find  it 
so,  for  no  greater  self-denial  has  been  exhibited  in 
our  generation  than  by  teachers  laboring  at  the  South 
for  the  colored  people.  They  have  been  made  up, 
for  the  most  part,  of  Christian  women  who  have 
felt  called  by  God  to  leave  the  comforts  of  their 
Northern  homes,  and  the  fellowships  of  their  early 
days,  to  endure  privations  for  the  good  of  the  ex- 
slaves,  where  they  were  sure  to  be  ignored  by  the 
white  people.  No  missionaries  have  labored  amidst 
more  opposition  and  danger  than  the  Yankee  teach- 
ers South.  To  have  public  attention  called  to  this 
fact,  and  sympathy  awakened  in  behalf  of  these 
benefactors,  was  very  grateful  to  me.  The  doctor 
was  not  long  in  discovering  my  feelings.  His  sen- 
sibilities  are  so  acute,  he   can .  feel   the   comings  and 


40  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

goings  of  the  passions  and  emotions  of  others;  and 
more  than  this,  every  person  leaves  a  tide-mark 
upon  him  with  an  altitude  equal  to  the  quantity  and 
quality  of  his  character.  This  makes  him  a  man  of 
great  attainments. 

One  evening  he  fell  to  discoursing  on  the  repre- 
sentative character  of  missionaries.  "  They  belong," 
he  said,  "to  a  class  by  themselves,  and  are  actuated 
by  different  motives  from  those  that  govern  the  ma- 
jority of  mankind.  The  difference  results  from  their 
different  modes  of  thinking.  Tell  me  of  a  man's 
thoughts,  and  I  will  tell  you  of  his  make-up,  —  I  do 
not  know  but  I  could  tell  his  size  and  complexion 
by  his  thoughts.  What  inspires  our  thinking,  I  can- 
not tell.  Just  so  many  men  think  they  would  like 
to  be  doctors,  and  so  many  farmers,  and  so  many 
blacksmiths.  Indeed,  there  are  about  the  right  num- 
ber of  persons  for  every  vocation.  Does  God  inspire 
the  choice  ?  Are  there  elements  and  forces  about  us 
that  attract  us,  as  the  magnet  attracts  the  steel? 
Or,  as  one  germ  of  fruit  or  flower  gathers  one  ele- 
ment from  earth  or  air,  and  another  a  different  ele- 
ment, so  does  one  person  take  in  one  inspiration,  and 
another  a  different  one?  These  are  questions  that 
await  answers.  Will  a  time  come  when  new-born 
souls  will  take  in  more  of  the  inspiration  and  mag- 
netism that  lead  towards  missionary  life?  Is  the 
spiritual    kingdom    becoming    more    and   more    filled 


Teachers  for  Freedmen.     41 

with  the  subtile  influences  that  will  start  off  armies 
with  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  for  all  people  ?  We 
have  no  barometer  with  which  to  take  the  pressure 
of  this  atmosphere  of  the  kingdom,  but  when  we 
look  back  over  the  past  century  the  signs  are 
not  discouraging.  All  manner  of  reforms,  which  are 
abundant,  seem  to  me  like  the  aurora  of  the  com- 
ing morning." 

14 1  have  reflected  much  upon  the  characteristics  of 
missionaries,"  I  said,  "  and  believe  they  are  guided, 
for  the  most  part,  by  an  unseen  Hand.  They  did 
not  all  of  them  start  out  for  that  pursuit  in  life. 
God  has  ordered  it  in  a  way  that  leaves  us  to  see 
it  is  not  unto  us,  but  unto  Him  the  credit  is  to  be 
given." 

" 1  have  supposed  they  were  a  very  unselfish  class 
of  persons,"  said  the  doctor.  "They  are  ready  to 
take  their  lives  in  their  hands  and  die  in  the  field." 

"To  be  sure,"  I  cried;  "though  their  lot  is  not 
void  of  romance  and  adventure  sometimes,  and  cases 
occur  when  one  feels  that  he  has  not  succeeded  in 
other  vocations,  and  success  may  come  in  this." 

"  I  suppose,"  rejoined  the  doctor,  "  that  but  few 
acts  will  bear  strict  scrutiny.  Nevertheless,  it  is  a 
great  relief  to  feel  there  is  faith  and  consecration  on 
earth." 

By  this  time  the  doctor's  maiden  sister  Catherine 
came  in  and  joined  the  conversation.     She  was  fully 


42  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

informed  concerning  all  the  grand  benevolent  enter- 
prises of  the  church. 

44  When  I  was  listening,"  she  said  "  to  your  remarks 
concerning  the  value  of  institutions,  and  especially 
the  Fisk  University,  I  could  but  recall  the  two  forms 
of  address  used  by  Christ  to  his  disciples.  (  Go,  teach 
all  nations ; '  ■  Go,  preach  ; '  as  though  the  institutions 
of  school  and  church  were  to  operate  side  by  side." 

"  This  policy  is  forced  upon  the  missionary,"  I  said ; 
"he  cannot  well  escape  it  if  he  would." 

"I  have  come  in  to  ask  you  the  history  of  the 
originator  of  the  Jubilee  Singers'  enterprise.  Such 
developments  do  not  come  by  accident.  Your  tall 
Professor  must  have  been  grown  for  the  purpose. 
Can't  you  tell  the  doctor  and  myself  how  the  times 
developed  him  ?  " 

"  George  L.  White  saw  what  was  waiting  to  be 
done,  and  did  it,  and  is  distinguished  for  just  this; 
indeed,  this  is  about  all  that  distinguishes  any  man. 
All  inventions  come  from  such  men.  All  remarka- 
ble transactions  for  good,  that  make  men's  names 
great,  come  simply  from  doing  what  needs  to  be 
done,  or  saying  what  needs  to  be  said,  just  at  the 
right  time.  A  great  man  is  but  the  connecting  link 
between  the  want  and  the  supply.  Fulton  saw  the 
want  of  rapid  travel  by  water,  and  supplied  the 
steamboat.  Field  saw  the  want  of  early  informa- 
tion, and  supplied  the  Atlantic  cable.     So  it  is  ever. 


GEORGE  L.   WHITE, 

Treasurer  of  Fisk  University. 


Photographed  by  BLACK- 


Page  42- 


Teachers  for  Freedmen.      43 

The  church  needed  faith  in  the  African.  Professor 
White  knew  the  Jubilee  Singers  would  promote  such 
faith  if  he  could  bring  them  before  the  people. 

"  Mr.  White  was  born  in  September,  1838,  at  Cadiz, 
Cattaraugus  County,  New  York.  His  father  was  fond 
of  music,  and,  on  occasions,  served  in  a  band,  while 
he  labored  as  a  blacksmith.  He  sent  his  only  son  to 
the  public  school  till  he  was  fourteen,  who,  during 
this  time,  received  all  the  instruction  he  ever  derived 
from  schools.  He  never  attended  steadily  upon  a 
course  of  musical  instruction,  not  even  in  an  ordinary 
singing-school.  An  overruling  Providence  gave  him 
a  remarkable  range  of  voice  and  musical  ideas,  which 
attained  a  natural  growth,  unbiased  by  the  discipline 
of  the  schools. " 

UI  have  noticed,"  said  Miss  Catherine,  "that  God 
has  left  many  geniuses  to  develop  in  that  way.  The 
schools  wear  ruts  and  run  in  grooves,  are  like  the 
conduit  that  conveys  the  water,  and  not  like  the  foun- 
tain head.  It  might  have  spoiled  Spurgeon,  or  Bunyan, 
or  Shakspeare,  or  John  B.  Gough  to  have  trained  them 
in  the  schools.  Now  I  constantly  have  in  mind  that 
God  gives  teachers  and  learners.  Once  in  a  great  while 
a  teacher  comes,  who  gathers  by  intuition  and  scatters 
with  profusion ;  and  this  man's  education  will  take 
care  of  itself.  But  will  you  please  pardon  the  inter- 
ruption, and  proceed  ?  " 

"  Mr.   White  commenced  teaching  school  in  Ohio, 


44  George  L.  White. 

when  twenty  years  old,  and  pursued  that  vocation 
for  three  or  four  years.  He  was  celebrated  during 
that  time  for  having  the  best  choir  that  ever  sang 
in  the  church,  and  the  best  concerts  and  singing  in 
school  ever  known  in  that  vicinity.  He  did  not  sing 
so  much  himself,  but  so  accurate  was  his  taste,  and 
so  germinant  were  his  ideas,  that  he  exacted  from  his 
scholars  just  the  tones  and  harmonies  that  captivated 
the  people. 

"  Mr.  White  united  with  the  church  in  1857.  While 
teaching  in  Ohio,  he,  in  company  with  Miss  Susan 
Pierson,  of  Nashua,  N.  H.,  and  William  K.  McCoy, 
gathered  the  colored  people  in  the  vicinity  for 
Sunday  school.  In  the  summer  they  taught  in  the 
woods,  using  rails  for  seats.  So  strong  was  the  feel- 
ing against  this  school,  that  he  was  several  times 
threatened. 

"During  the  early  part  of  the  rebellion,  he  joined 
the  Squirrel  Hunters,  who  defended  Cincinnati  from 
Kirby  Smith.  Later,  he  served  in  the  73d  Ohio  Regi- 
ment, and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville 
and  Gettysburg.  After  these  battles  he  went  with 
General  Hooker  to  Chattanooga,  and  served  under 
him  until  discharged  on  account  of  sickness.  He  then 
proceeded  to  Ohio,  where  he  recovered  sufficiently  to 
engage  in  teaching.  His  stay  there  was  brief.  After 
earning  a  small  sum  of  money,  he  went  to  Nashville, 
Tenn.,   and  engaged  himself    in  the   quartermaster's 


George  L.   White.  45 

department.  Soon,  however,  he  received  an  ap- 
pointment from  Clinton  B.  Fisk,  in  the  Freedmen's 
Bureau. 

While  in  the  quartermaster's  department  he  devoted 
much  of  his  spare  time  to  the  colored  schools,  both  on 
the  Sabbath  and  week  days.  It  was  here  that  the 
inspiration  which  had  animated  him  so  long  in  work- 
ing for  the  freed  people  found  opportunity  for  develop- 
ment. The  attachment  of  children  for  teachers  is 
usually  great,  but  the  attachment  of  ex-slave  chil- 
dren to  those  who  suffer  hardship,  scorn,  and  con- 
tinual danger,  to  lead  them  up  to  equal  rights  and 
prosperous  fortunes,  is  like  a  new  revelation.  One 
feels  pervaded  by  a  new  atmosphere  in  the  circle  of 
such  love.  The  effect  of  it  upon  the  Northern  teach- 
ers from  the  best  of  families  becomes  almost  an  intoxi- 
cation, even  when  experienced  by  cool-headed,  practical 
people.  This  love  and  interest,  together  with  the 
charm  that  comes  as  the  young  mind  rapidly  develops 
and  adjusts  itself  to  the  nobler  associations  of  a  higher 
life,  gives  the  missionary  a  new  want  and  a  new  sup- 
ply. As  weariness  is  refreshed  with  sleep,  so  is  their 
labor  refreshed  by  love  ;  and  they  neither  tire  of  the 
one,  nor  become  satiated  with  the  other.  Mr.  White 
came  under  these  influences,  and  soon  found  himself 
interested  in  Fisk  School,  from  which  Fisk  Uni- 
versity was  developed.  Professor  Ogden,  who  was 
then  in   charge,   solicited  his  services    to    teach    the 


46  The  Jubilee  Singees. 

students  Sabbath  school  songs  and  other  music.  Upon 
the  retirement  of  Deacon  Crosby  from  Fisk  School, 
Mr.  White  took  upon  himself  the  steward's  work  in 
addition  to  his  labor  in  the  Freedmen's  Bureau.  In 
1866  he  gave  his  first  concert  with  ex-slave  children. 
Some  instrumental  music  was  introduced,  and  the 
effect  of  the  concert  was  novel,,  and  to  many  minds 
wonderful.  The  proceeds  of  it  amounted  to  four 
hundred  dollars.  The  chief  good,  however,  that  came 
of  it,  was  the  impression  it  gave  to  the  auditors  that 
the  colored  people  of  the  South  ought  to  be  educated, 
and,  indeed,  this  is  the  most  valuable  result  of  all  his 
subsequent  concerts  throughout  the  country. 

It  was  felt  that  the  good  of  the  state  demanded  their 
education  —  a  doctrine  easy  enough  to  be  grasped,  and 
old  enough ;  yet  it  needed  to  be  charmed  out  of  its 
hiding-place  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  in  order  that 
it  might  secure  action  on  the  part  of  the  authorities. 
The  wholesome  educational  measures  inaugurated  by 
General  John  Eaton,  and  supported  for  a  time  in 
Tennessee,  are  believed  to  have  been  furthered  by  the 
unexpected  and  before  unknown  power  of  colored 
students  over  the  more  educated  classes,  while  singing 
more  difficult  music  than  they  had  learned  in  their 
slave  cabins.  Two  years  after  Mr.  White  gave  another 
concert,  which  was  a  great  improvement  upon  the  first. 
Encouraged  by  the  hearty  commendation  of  those  who 
were  interested  in  the   elevation  of   the  blacks,  he 


George  L.  White.  47 

selected  a  company  from  his  choir,  and  went  to  Mem- 
phis, where  he  gave  a  concert  in  the  Opera  House. 
This  concert  was  instrumental  in  interesting  students, 
who  afterwards  connected  themselves  with  the  Uni- 
versity. 

Perhaps  no  more  gratifying  success  was  achieved 
by  Mr.  White  than  at  the  meeting  of  the  National 
Teachers1  Association.  It  had  been  arranged  that  he 
shoidd  sing  at  the  opening  of  the  exercises.  Other 
companies  of  singers  were  to  favor  the  Association 
during  the  remainder  of  the  session;  but  so  popular 
was  Mr.  White's  colored  choir,  that  their  services  were 
demanded  for  all  the  meetings  during  the  occasion. 

It  is  not  so  much  what  one  intends  as  what  he  accom- 
plishes. The  Puritans  started  for  the  mouth  of  the 
Hudson,  but  landed  at  Plymouth.  We  carried  on  the 
war  for  the  restoration  of  the  Union,  but  we  accom- 
plished the  emancipation  of  the-  slaves.  Mr.  White 
commenced  to  teach  Sunday  school  songs,  but  went  on 
to  drill  his  choir  to  sing  operatic  music.  He  started 
North  in  '71  to  sing  the  more  difficult  and  popular 
music  of  the  day,  composed  by  our  best  native  and 
foreign  artists ;  but  he  found  his  well-disciplined  choir 
singing  the  old  religious  slave  songs,  his  audiences  de- 
manding these,  and  satisfied  with  little  besides,  till  the 
cries  of  the  oppressed  went  echoing  all  over  the  North, 
as  some  rare  heaven-born  relic  of  a  bondage  past,  the 
history  of  winch  had  been  near  the  heart  of  God  for 


48  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

the  past  two  hundred  years.  The  Jubilee  Singers 
made  known  to  us  how  the  poor  slave  besought  the 
God  of  heaven  in  song,  until  he  gave  victory ;  and 
Mr.  White  was  the  chosen  captain  to  bring  these  to  our 
knowledge.  He  has  been  fortunate  in  giving  to  the 
church  a  wholesome  and  satisfactory  entertainment. 
The  improvement,  education,  and  tastes  of  the  day, 
give  not  only  leisure,  but  passion  for  recreation.  Mr. 
White  has  brought  an  entertainment  entirely  satisfac- 
tory, suitable  for  the  church,  under  the  auspices  of  a 
great  missionary  society ;  and  at  his  concerts,  the 
wisest  and  best  can  be  improved,  entertained,  made 
happy  and  better.  And  as  every  benefactor  blesses 
himself  in  blessing  others,  so  the  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands who  may  hear  the  Jubilee  Singers  will  accord 
gratitude  and  honor  to  the  man  chosen  of  God  to 
charm  us  as  if  we  heard  the  angels  sing. 


ELLA  SHEPPARD. 


Photographed  by  BLACK. 


Paj?e4o 


Their   Personal   History.  49 


CHAPTER   IV. 

PERSONAL  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUBILEE  SINGERS. 

AS  I  rose  to  take  leave  of  the  doctor's  family, 
after  relating  Mr.  White's  history,  Miss  Cathe- 
rine remarked,  "I  read,  last  winter,  a  few  items  re- 
specting the  history  of  these  Singers,  that  led  me  to 
think  it  would  be  very  interesting  and  profitable  to 
us  to  hear  from  their  own  lips  an  account  of  their 
former  condition.  If  you  will  bring  them  here  some 
evening,  I  will  invite  a  few  friends  to  listen  to  their 
recitals.".  The  next  week  I  accepted  her  invitation, 
and  after  singing  "  No  more  auction  block  for  me," 
Miss  Sheppard,  the  pianist,  commenced. 

"  The  early  part  of  my  story  I  must  give  as  I 
heard  it  related  some  years  ago  by  my  father,  when 
talking  with  his  friends  about  slavery  times.  My 
father  lived  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  had  bought  him- 
self for  81800.  My  mother's  family  belonged  in  Mis- 
sissippi, but  were  on  a  visit  to  Nashville  at  the  time 
of  my  birth,  February,  1851.  My  mother  was  so 
closely   confined  to  service   at  the  house,  that  I  was 


50  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

left  to  struggle  through  the  first  months  of  my  life 
with  little  attention.  When  fifteen  months  old  I  was 
very  sick.  A  white  man,  who  came  to  Mississippi  on 
business,  returning,  told  my  father  that  I  was  dying 
from  neglect ;  and  added,  that  my  master  might  be 
willing  to  sell  me,  as  they  all  thought  I  could  not 
live  many  days.  My  father  immediately  started  for 
Mississippi,  paid  $350  for  me,  carried  me,  sick  as  I 
was,  to  Nashville,  and  boarded  me  out.  Shortly  after 
■he  returned  to  purchase  my  mother.  The  bargain  had 
•been  made ;  my  father,  mother,  and  the  overseer, 
were  in  Nashville,  and  the  bill  of  sale  was  to  be 
rsigned  the  following  day,  when  word  came  from  her 
onaster  that  she  must  not  be  sold,  but  returned  to 
Mississippi ;  and  so  she  was  obliged  to  leave  her  hus- 
band and  child  at  once,  and  go  back  again  into  slavery. 
My  father  then  kept  a  livery  stable,  and  was  doing 
quite  a  good  business,  owning  four  carriages  and  eight 
horses. 

"  Some  time  after  he  married  again ;  and  this  step- 
mother did  for  me  all  that  an  own  mother  could. 
She  was  a  slave  when  married,  but  my  father  soon 
purchased  her,  paying  $1300.  Her  free  papers  had 
not  been  made  out  because  they  could  not  be  in  a 
slave  state,  and  it  had  not  been  convenient  to  make 
the  journey  to  Ohio,  the  nearest  free  state.  Some 
six  months  before  the  war  my  father  failed  in  busi- 
ness, —  could  not  meet  certain  debts.     One  night  he 


Their    Personal    History.  51 

was  secretly  warned  by  a  wThite  gentleman  that  his 
creditors  intended  to  claim  my  mother.  If  a  man 
bought  his  wife,  she  was  considered  his  slave  until 
free  papers  were  made  out,  and  could  be  taken  for 
debt  the  same  as  any  other  property.  My  father 
quickly  returned  to  his  house,  and  hastened  my 
mother  off  for  Cincinnati  that  very  night.  They 
went  a  long  distance  to  a  station  in  the  woods,  where 
they  would  not  be  recognized,  to  take  the  twelve 
o'clock  train.  Soon  after  he  took  me  and  followed, 
leaving  everything  to  Iris  creditors.  Here  he  began 
life  over  again.  "We  had  literally  nothing  to  start 
with,  but  collected  household  furniture  piece  by  piece. 
My  mother  took  in  washing  and  ironing,  and  when 
able  to  do  so,  kept  a  private  boarding-house.  I  at- 
tended the  Seventh  Street  colored  school,  but  when 
twelve  years  old,  was  obliged  to  leave  my  studies 
on  account  of  ill  health,  and  could  not  return  to 
them  till  I  was  fourteen. 

"  Once,  when  five  or  six  years  old,  I  had  seen  my 
own  mother.  My  old  master's  family  were  on  a  visit 
to  Nashville,  and  just  the  day  before  they  were  to 
return,  they  gave  my  mother  permission  to  see  me 
a  little  while  ;  but  when  she  came  to  leave  me,  she 
found  it  so  hard,  and  screamed  so  loud,  that  they 
said  she  never  should  see  me  again.  When  I  was 
nearly  fourteen,  she  wrote  me  that  she  was  in  Nash- 
ville, and  wished  me  to  come  and  see  her.    This  was 


52  The  Jubilee   Singers. 

after  the  proclamation,  and  I  remained  with  her  three 
months,  returning  then  to  Cincinnati. 

"  When  thirteen,  I  commenced  taking  lessons  in  mu- 
sic. My  teacher  was  a  German  lady,  and  she  gave 
me  lessons  on  the  piano  a  year  and  a  half.  Then 
came  the  sad  event  that  threw  my  mother  and  myself 
upon  our  own  resources,  at  the  same  time  overwhelm- 
ing us  with  grief.  My  father  died  of  the  cholera. 
We  were  at  the  Twava  Springs,  in  Xenia,  Ohio, 
where  we  went  every  summer,  my  father  coming  to 
see  us  whenever  he  had  opportunity.  On  this  sad 
day  mother  expected  him  on  the  afternoon  train, 
and  had  started  to  meet  him,  I  had  gone  over  to 
Wilberforce  School,  to  practise  my  music,  when  the 
telegram  came,  telling  of  his  death.  When  his 
affairs  were  finally  settled,  on  account  of  a  trouble- 
some lawsuit,  there  was  not  a  cent  left  for  us.  Every- 
thing went;  even  my  own  private  piano.  Then  I 
had  to  work  for  myself  in  right  good  earnest,  till 
Mr.  J.  P.  Ball,  of  Cincinnati,  adopted  me.  He  offered 
to  give  me  a  thorough  musical  education,  with  the 
understanding  that  I  was  to  repay  him  at  some  future 
day.  I  took  twelve  lessons  in  vocal  music  of  Madame 
Rivi ;  was  the  only  colored  pupil ;  was  not  allowed 
to  tell  who  my  teacher  was :  and,  more  than  all  that, 
I  went  in  the  back  way,  and  received  my  lessons  in  a 
back  room  up  stairs,  from  nine  to  quarter  of  ten  at 
night.    In  the  middle  of  the  first  quarter  circumstances 


ELIZA   WALKER. 


Photographed  by  Black:. 


Their    Personal    History.  53 

were  such  Mr.  Ball  was  unable  to  carry  out  this  pur- 
pose. A  subscription  school,  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  was 
then  offered  me.  There  were  thirty-five  scholars,  but 
they  did  not  all  pay,  and  from  the  whole  term's  work 
I  was  able  to  save  but  six  dollars.  With  this  I  went  to 
Fisk  University,  with  the  understanding  that  I  should 
try  to  obtain  work.  The  first  week  a  friend  sent  me 
one  music  scholar,  and  in  a  few  weeks  I  had  two 
others.  At  the  end  of  the  term  I  was  nearly  sick, 
and  spent  the  vacation  with  my  stepmother.  I  en- 
tered school  again  in  the  fall,  and  studied  till  Christ- 
mas, and  then  gave  myself  entirely  to  preparing  for 
the  concert  shortly  to  be  given.  After  the  concert 
I  was  thrown  upon  my  bed,  and  not  able  to  do  any- 
thing. Permission  was  granted  me  to  remain  at  the 
school,  and  help  or  pay  as  I  was  able ;  and  I  should 
have  been  forty-four  dollars  in  debt  at  the  end  of 
the  year,  had  it  not  been  for  the  sewing  I  did  at 
odd  moments,  or  when  confined  to  my  bed.  That 
vacation  I  was  offered  the  situation  of  assistant  music 
teacher  in  the  University.  I  retained  that  position 
during  the  year,  and  at  the  close,  after  assisting  to 
prepare  the  pupils  to  sing  the  Cantata  of  Esther,  I 
was  requested  to  remain,  and  help  drill  the  Jubilee 
Singers  during  the  summer,  before  we  started  for  the 
North.'' 


54  The   Jubilee  Singers. 

Eliza  Walker  was  sitting  next,  and  very  briefly 
said,  — 

"  I  was  born  six  miles  from  Nashville,  at  Flatrock 
in  1857.  My  mother  belonged  to  Wesley  Greenfield 
and  my  father  to  John  W.  Walker,  of  Nashville; 
There  were  eight  children,  —  two  boys  and  six  girls. 
I  was  next  to  the  youngest.  My  mistress  held  only 
two  or  three  slaves  besides  our  family.  She  finally  set 
my  mother  free  and  gave  her  the  three  youngest  chil- 
dren. After  the  war  my  father  kept  an  ice-house 
and  made  money  enough  to  buy  us  a  little  home; 
but  there  was  some  trouble  about  the  lease,  and  we 
lost  the  house.  In  1866  I  commenced  attending  Fisk 
School,  and  continued  there  as  much  of  the  time  as  1 
was  able  till  1870." 

Thomas  Rutling,  in  a  very  amusing  way,  com- 
menced, — 

"I  may  have  been  born  out  in  the  woods  for 
ought  I  know.  My  mother  was  in  the  habit  of  run- 
ning away  and  concealing  herself  in  the  woods ;  my 
sister  would  sometimes  carry  her  food,  but  she  never 
remained  long  before  she  was  found,  brought  back, 
and  whipped.  But  whippings  proved  useless,  and  she 
was  sent  further  south.  The  very  earliest  thing  that 
T  remember  was  this  selling  of  my  mother.  I  must 
nave  been  about  two  years  old  then ;  for  they  tell  me 
I  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1854.     I  can 


Photographed  by  BLACK. 


Page  54. 


Their   Personal   History.  55 

just  remember  how  the  steps  looked  to  our  sitting- 
room  door,  where  I  was  when  she  kissed  me  and 
bade  me  good  by,  and  how  she  cried  when  they  led 
her  away.  Some  two  years  after,  my  mistress  told 
me,  as  I  was  playing  round  in  the  house,  that  she 
had  heard  from  my  mother ;  that  she  had  been  whipped 
till  she  was  almost  dead :  and  that  was  the  last  news 
from  her.  My  father  was  sold  before  I  was  born,  and 
I  know  nothing  of  him.  I  had  one  brother,  three  or 
four  years  older  than  myself,  and  eight  sisters.  Some 
of  my  sisters  were  early  sold  away,  and  I  do  not 
know  whether  they  are  alive  or  not.  My  mistress 
was  very  good  to  me  ;  she  kept  me  at  the  house 
during  the  day,  and  only  sent  me  to  the  '  quarters  ' 
to  sleep.  As  soon  as  I  was  large  enough,  she  made 
me  bring  wood  and  vater,  play  with  the  children  to 
keep  them  quiet,  and  sing  and  dance  for  her  own 
amusement.  When  eight  years  old,  they  put  me  to 
work  on  the  farm  :  I  could  hold  a  plough  then.  Once 
they  talked  of  selling  my  brother,  and  I  remember 
how  hard  he  cried,  and  how  sorry  we  felt,  though  we 
were  very  small.  They  said,  afterwards,  they  wished 
they  had  sold  him,  and  put  him  in  their  pockets. 
About  this  time  the  old  slaves  told  me  that  some- 
tling  was  going  on,  and  I  must  listen  sharp  up  at 
the  house,  and  come  and  tell  them  what  the  white 
folks  said.  There  were  about  a  dozen  slaves  on  the 
plantation.     One  was    a   preacher :   he    could   read   a 


56  The   Jubilee  Singeks. 

little.  I  was  table  waiter  then,  and  after  talking 
over  the  news  at  table,  missus  would  say,  '  Now, 
Tom,  you  mustn't  repeat  a  word  of  this.'  I  would 
look  mighty  obedient,  — but — well  —  in  less  than  half 
an  hour,  some  way,  every  slave  on  the  plantation 
would  know  what  had  been  said  up  at  massa's  house. 
One  would  see  sad  faces  when  the  Yankees  got 
whipped,  and  then  the  preacher  would  have  prayer 
meetings.  I  was  too  young  to  know  what  they 
prayed  for,  but  heard  the  old  slaves  talking  about 
freedom.  By  and  by  the  rebels  kept  getting  beaten, 
and  then  it  was  sing,  sing,  all  through  the  slave 
quarters.  Old  missus  asked  what  they  were  singing 
for,  but  they  would  only  say,  because  we  feel  so  hap- 
py. One  night,  the  report  of  Lincoln's  Proclamation 
came.  Now,  master  had  a  son  who  was  a  young 
doctor.  I  always  thought  him  the  best  man  going: 
he  used  to  give  me  money,  and  did'nt  believe  much 
in  slavery.  Next  morning  I  was  sitting  over  in  the 
slave  quarters,  waiting  for  breakfast,  when  the  young 
doctor  came  along  and  spoke  to  my  brother  and  sis- 
ter, at  the  front  door.  I  supposed  it  was  about 
work ;  but  they  jumped  up  and  down,  and  shouted, 
and  sang,  and  then  told  me  I  was  free.  I  thought 
that  very  nice  ;  for  I  supposed  I  should  have  every- 
thing ]ike  the  doctor,  and  decided  in  a  moment  what 
kind  of  a  horse  I  would  ride.  We  remained  on  the 
plantation    till    1865.     My    brother  went   to    market, 


BENJAMIN   M.    HOLMES. 

Photographed  by  BLACK. 


f  age  57 


Their   Personal   History.  57 

and  found  out  where  my  eldest  sister  lived;  and  one 
day  we  told  master  we  were  going  to  Nashville,  and 
started  off.  At  my  sister's  I  learned  my  letters.  I 
remember  how  hard  work  it  was — harder  than  pick- 
ing out  my  Latin  lessons  this  summer.  I  worked  at 
levelling  breastworks  for  a  while,  then  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  some  soldiers,  tliinking  I  might  get  a 
chance  to  beat  the  drum,  which  had  long  been  the 
height  of  my  ambition.  A  surgeon  wanted  a  boy, 
and  I  remained  with  him  three  weeks,  till  he  was 
mustered  out.  *  I  was  then  recommended  to  Mrs. 
Gravath,  at  the  Fisk  University.  I  remained  at  the 
University,  working  and  studying  as  I  could,  till  we 
started  on  our  trip  North." 

Here  Miss  Catherine  brought  in  some  nice  early 
apples ;  and  we  began  to  talk  about  the  various  ways 
in  which  the  slaves  formerly  gained  a  knowledge  of 
books  and  numbers,  and 

Benjamin  M.  Holmes  was  requested  to  relate  his 
experience  in  this  respect. 

"  I  was  born,"  he  said,  "  on  the  25th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1846,  or  1848,  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  My  father 
taught  me  my  letters.  In  1853  'I  was  bound  as  an 
apprentice  to  Mr.  Weston,  a  colored  tailor.  I  was  so 
small  then  I  could  hardly  see  over  the  bench.  I 
studied  all  the  si'rns  and  all  the  names  on  the  doors 


58  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

where  I  carried  bundles,  and  asked  people  to  tell  me 
a  word  or  two  at  a  time ;  till,  in  1860,  I  found  I 
could  read  the  papers.  My  mother  told  me  if  I 
would  learn  to  write  she  would  give  me  a  gold  dol- 
lar. A  part  of  my  duty  was  to  sweep  the  store  in 
the  morning,  and  I  took  some  time  to  look  in  the 
measuring  books  to  see  how  the  writing  letters  were 
made.  In  this  way  I  learned  to  write.  On  Sundays, 
in  1860,  the  men  in  the  store  hired  me  to  read  the 
New  York  Tribune  or  Herald.  I  did  not  care  much 
for  the  news  myself;  only  the  better  the  news  the 
more  they  paid  me.  In  1862  the  Yankees  were  near 
Charleston,  and  our  owners  wished  to  take  us  to  the 
country.  As  we  were  not  inclined  to  go,  we  were 
privately  sold  to  a  trader.  During  the  day  we  were 
kept  in  the  slave  mart,  ready  to  be  examined,  and 
were  fed  upon  cow's  head,  boiled  grits,  and  rice  ;  at 
night  we  were  locked  up.  I  read  the  papers  to  the 
keeper,  and  in  consideration  for  that  he  would  give 
me  permission  to  go  down  on  the  wharf  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  I  never  failed  to  look  for  the  Yankee  boats. 
I  read  Lincoln's  Proclamation  in  the  prison.  Such 
rejoicing  as  there  was  then !  One  old  man  held  a 
prayer  meeting  right  there  in  the  mart.  I  was  finally 
sold  to  Mr.  Kaylor,  who  gave  me  five  dollars,  told  me 
to  go  and  bid  my  mother  good  by,  and  meet  him 
at  the  depot ;  but  the  trader  would  not  allow  me 
to  leave   the   pen.      The   next  day   Mr.  Kaylor  took 


Their   Personal   History.  59 

me  out  himself,  granted  me  a  few  hours  with  my 
friends,  and  then  sent  me  on  to  Chattanooga.  Here 
he  first  hired  me  out  at  a  hotel,  and  then  took  me 
into  his  own  store.  He  seemed  to  have  great  con- 
fidence in  me,  for  he  often  said,  ■  I'd  trust  any  part 
of  my  business  to  Ben.'  In  1863  he  and  all  his 
clerks  were  conscripted,  and  I  ran  the  store  myself 
for  a  day  and  a  half,  when  he  and  one  clerk  were 
exempted.  I  remained  here  till  December,  1863. 
Then  the  Yankees  came  into  Chattanooga,  and  pressed 
many  of  the  colored  people  into  their  service.  "We 
were  determined  to  have  an  interview  with  the  Yan- 
kees, and  so  slid  away  quietly,  and  were  pressed  into 
service  with  the  others.  I  engaged  myself  as  servant 
to  Jefferson  C.  Davis,  of  the  14th  Army  Corps,  and 
continued  with  him  until  March,  1864.  Then  Mr. 
Kaylor  offered  me  thirty  dollars  a  month  to  return 
into  his  service,  —  I  was  receiving  but  ten  at  the 
time, — and  he  placed  me  in  his  store  at  Nashville. 
My  next  experiment  was  as  clerk  to  a  colored  barber, 
at  sixty  dollars  a  month.  I  had  learned  to  make 
change,  though  hardly  know  how  the  knowledge  had 
come.  I  was  in  tins  place  two  years,  and  thinking 
all  the  time  about  going  to  school ;  but  when  I  men- 
tioned it  to  my  employer,  he  promised  to  take  me 
in  as  partner  if  I  would  remain  a  year  longer.  He 
died  shortly  after ;  but,  before  his  death,  sold  out 
to  me  in  a  deed  of  trust,  to  pay  certain  debts.     lie 


60  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

made  me  administrator,  —  the  first  colored  adminis- 
trator in  the  State  of  Tennessee.  Our  expenses  had 
been  four  thousand  a  year,  our  rent  one  thousand ; 
there  was  a  mortgage  on  furniture  and  fixings,  and 
the  estate  proved  insolvent.  I  came  out  three  hun- 
dred dollars  in  debt,  and  quit  the  business.  In  1868 
I  went  to  Fisk  University ;  was  then  in  Ray's  First 
Part,  in  arithmetic ;  in  two  months'  time  I  was  pro- 
moted to  the  High  School.  I  taught  school  a  little, 
while  a  slave,  but  first  for  the  state  in  1869.  This 
was  in  Davidson  County.  I  averaged  sixty-eight 
scholars,  and  had  the  promise  of  thirty  dollars  a 
month ;  but  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  are  still  due 
me  from  that  county.  In  the  fifteenth  district  I  aver- 
aged over  forty  scholars.  Here,  a  shot  came  into 
the  room  one  day,  while  I  was  hearing  a  class,  but 
the  source  was  never  ascertained.  I  returned  to 
Fisk  University,  studied  history,  Latin,  practice  of 
teaching,  and  analysis.  At  this  time  I  joined  the 
church  connected  with  the  school,  and  was  appointed 
deacon.  My  next  school  was  about  eight  miles  from 
Nashville.  I  usually  walked  home  on  Friday  evening 
to  attend  the  literary  society  connected  with  the  Uni- 
versity, worked  at  my  tailor's  trade  on  Saturday, 
making  from  one  to  three  dollars  a  day,  and  returned 
on  Saturday  night  or  Sabbath  morning,  in  season  to 
conduct  my  Sunday  school ;  and  felt  that  I  lacked 
neither  work  nor  "  exercise  " 


JENNIE  JACKSON. 


Photographed  by  BLACK. 


Page  01. 


Their  Personal  History.  61 

It  was  now  Jennie  Jackson's  turn  to  tell  her 
story,  and  she  began  :  — 

"I  was  born  in  Kingston,  Tenn.  My  grandfather 
was  the  slave  and  body  servant  of  General  Jackson. 
My  mistress's  mother  set  all  her  slaves  free  at  her 
death,  before  my  birth ;  so  I  was  born  free.  I  came 
to  Nashville  when  three  years  old,  with  my  mother, 
and  lived  with  her  till  twelve  or  thirteen,  when  I 
was  hired  as  nurse  girl,  at  four  dollars  a  month.  I 
had  one  invalid  sister  at  home,  a  sister  and  brother 
hired  out  at  small  wages.  This  helped  my  mother 
pay  her  rent,  and  live  in  the  yard  with  white  people 
for  protection.  We  lived  in  this  way  till  my  sister 
died,  in  1863,  when  my  mother  took  me  home  to 
help  in  washing  and  ironing.  We  followed  this  busi- 
ness for  some  time  ;  then  mother  went  as  nurse,  and 
I  as  house  girl  at  eight  dollars  a  month.  I  saved 
my  money,  hoping  some  time  to  go  to  school.  My 
brother  was  receiving  good  wages,  and  helped  me,  so 
I  did  not  pay  much  for  clothing.  I  remained  two 
years  and  then  went  home.  My  first  experience  of 
school  life  began  at  this  time.  My  mornings  were 
spent  at  the  wash-tub,  and  the  afternoons  in  learning 
my  letters ;  got  so  I  could  read  in  Easy  Readings, 
then  stopped,  and  did  not  return  to  school  again  till 
1866,  when  I  began  at  Fisk  School.  At  that  time 
my  mother's  health  was  poor;  and  when  our  money 
gave  out,  I  would  stop  and  earn  more ;  so  I  did  not 


62  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

progress  very  fast.  After  a  time  my  mother  and 
brother  were  able  to  keep  me  in  school  a  year :  in 
the  vacations  I  took  in  washing.  When  school  began 
in  the  fall,  I  entered;  but  the  price  of  tuition  was 
raised  soon  after,  and  I  feared  I  should  have  to  leave ; 
but  Mr.  White  hired  me  to  wait  upon  his  family,  so 
I  remained.  My  mother  was  sick  two  years,  and  I 
had  not  much  opportunity  to  go  to  school.  I  first 
began  singing  at  Fisk  School,  and  can  remember  how 
anxious  I  used  to  be  to  do  well,  and  in  my  zeal 
often  forgot  where  I  was,  when  my  teacher  would 
say,  c  That  little  girl  who  sings  so  loud  is  making 
discords.'  The  first  piece  I  sang  in  public  was 
4  Guard  of  land  and  sea.'  " 

The  doctor  then  asked  Jennie  to  sing  "  Old  Folks 
at  Home,"  and  when  she  finished,  Minnie  Tate 
went  on  with  the  narrative. 

44 1  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1857.  My 
parents  were  free.  My  mother  was  born  in  Missis- 
sippi, and  when  quite  young  her  master  died ;  but 
not  till  he  had  given  free  papers  to  my  grandmother 
and  some  of  her  children.  She  at  once  determined  to 
move  to  Ohio,  where  she  hoped  to  enjoy  her  free- 
dom. Taking  all  the  worldly  possessions  they  were 
able  to  carry  in  budgets  on  their  heads,  they  started 
on  foot,  hardly  realizing  how  far  it  was  to  free  Ohio. 
They  often  had  to  rest  on   the  way,  and  sometimes 


MINNIE   TATE 


Photographed  by  Bl  ALU. 


Page  62. 


MAGGIE   PORTER. 


Photographed  by  BLACK. 


Pa^e  63. 


Their  Personal  History.  63 

stopped  for  months  in  a  place  to  earn  money  enough 
to  make  it  safe  for  them  to  proceed.  At  last  they 
reached  a  German  settlement  in  Tennessee.  Here 
they  were  so  well  received  and  kindly  treated  that 
they  decided  to  remain,  well  content  to  end  their 
journey.  My  mother  was  sent  to  school  with  the 
white  children,  and  really  did  not  know  but  she  was 
of  aa  much  account  as  any  little  girl.  She  learned 
to  read  very  well,  —  studying  geography,  arithme- 
tic,  kc. 

"  Some  years  later  she  went  to  Nashville,  and  was 
married.  She  soon  began  to  turn  her  learning  to 
some  account  by  teaching  other  colored  people.  She 
taught  all  her  children,  and  I  can  well  remember  my 
first  lessons  in  our  little  home  in  Nashville.  I  have 
always  been  to  school ;  but  cannot  think  of  any  inci- 
dents in  my  own  life  that  can  be  of  particular  interest 
to  others." 

Some  of  the  singers  were  not  able  to  be  present 
that  evening ;  and  as  Minnie  closed,  it  was  suggested 
that  a  former  teacher  at  Nashville,  who  was  in  the 
company,  be  requested  to  relate  the  facts  in  their 
history,  as  she  remembered  hearing  them  from  them- 
selves or  others ;  and  she  commenced  with  Maggie. 

"  M aggie  Porter  was  born  February  24,  1853, 
at  Lebanon,  Tenn.     Her  master  was  Mr.  Henry  Fra- 


64  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

zier,  who  owned  some  two  hundred  slaves.  Her 
mother  was  house  servant,  and  Maggie  knew  but 
little  harshness  in  her  early  days.  She  was  kept  at 
the  house,  and  played  with  '  Massa  Henry.'  Short- 
ly before  the  war  Mr.  Frazier  moved  to  Nashville, 
taking  his  servants  with  him.  *  The  Yankees  are 
coming,'  was  a  dreaded  sound  then,  in  that  region. 
When  such  an  echo  reached  the  capital  of  Tennes- 
see, it  startled  the  white  people  on  their  way  to  church, 
who  at  once  set  their  faces  homeward,  packed  their 
goods,  and  started  for  Mississippi.  Mr.  Frazier  took 
with  him  Maggie's  father  and  sisters,  but  left  her 
with  her  mother,  who  had  charge  of  the  house.  The 
fugitives  returned  after  a  brief  sojourn.  Shortly  after 
the  Proclamation  her  mother  was  refused  the  wages 
she  had  demanded,  and  she  therefore  hired  out  in 
another  family. 

"  In  1865,  when  Maggie  was  just  twelve  years  old, 
she  entered  school,  and  went  for  one  month  to  Daniel 
Watkins,  a  free  colored  man;  then  to  Mr.  McKee, 
in  the  colored  Baptist  church.  In  January,  1866, 
Fisk  School  was  opened,  and  Maggie  was  one  of  the 
three  hundred  pupils  who  gathered,  the  very  first 
week,  in  the  old  hospital  barracks.  A  strange  and 
sudden  change  was  this  in  Nashville.  In  1865  sick 
and  dying  soldiers  lying  all  through  these  wards ;  in 
1866,  from  three  to  six  hundred  colored  people,  men 
and  women,  boys  and  girls,  earnestly  picking  out 
their  lessons! 


Their  Personal  History.  65 

"  For  two  years  Maggie  was  constantly  in  school. 
Then  there  came  a  call  from  the  Board  of  Education 
for  teachers  for  the  country  colored  schools.  Professor 
Ogden,  Superintendent  of  Fisk  School,  read  this  call 
to  his  pupils;  and  Maggie  was  one  of  the  first  to 
offer  her  services.  She  was  examined  by  the  com- 
missioners, received  a  second  grade  certificate,  and  ap- 
pointed to  the  school  at  Bellevue,  seventeen  miles 
from  Nashville.  She  was  then  fifteen  years  old. 
Her  school  commenced  in  the  fall,  averaged  thirty- 
five  scholars,  and  she  received  thirty-five  dollars  a 
month. 

"  There  was  much  opposition  to  colored  schools  in 
that  region  ;  but  she  experienced  no  special  difficulty 
until  Christmas  time.  Then  her  friends,  knowing 
what  a  time  of  excess  Christmas  week  often  proves 
in  the  South,  and  fearing  violence,  thought  it  best 
for  her  to  be  away,  and  she  spent  the  vacation  with 
her  mother  in  Nashville.  Returning  the  first  Mon- 
day of  the  new  year  to  re-open  her  school,  she  found 
her  building  a  heap  of  ashes  on  the  ground !  No 
definite  clew  to  the  incendiaries  could  ever  be  ob- 
tained, but  probably  the  house  was  burned  by  the 
Ku-klux,  as  the  surest  way  of  ridding  themselves  of 
a  colored  school.  The  school  was  then  moved  five 
miles  to  another  station  ;  but  to  such  a  region  of 
violence  that  Maggie  did  not  return.  Her  second 
school  was  at  Mount  View,  twelve  miles  on  the  Chat- 
5 


G6  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

tanooga  road.  Here  she  taught  in  a  rough  log  build- 
ing, having  a  rock  chimney  and  broad  fireplace  ;  one 
long  window  without  any  sash,  but  with  a  board 
blind ;  and  benches  that  were  simply  logs  split  open 
and  supported  by  sticks.  Her  school  numbered  forty- 
two  pupils,  and  she  taught  two  full  terms ;  but  was 
suddenly  brought  to  a  stop  in  the  middle  of  the 
third,  by  a  lack  of  funds  in  the  treasury.  The  funds 
in  the  treasury  in  some  Southern  States  have  not 
-always  been  found  adequate  to  the  payment  of  the 
.colored  teachers,  and  many  of  our  normal  students 
have  suffered  severely  from  the  delay,  or  non-payment 
cof  promised  wages. 

"  Not  disheartened,  she  at  once  made  another  trial. 
Her  third  school  was  a  private  Baptist  school,  in 
Murfreesboro',  and  she  taught  from  October  to  Feb- 
ruary, when  the  numbers  became  small,  and  the 
trustees  could  not  longer  support  it.  At  this  time 
the  students  at  Fisk  University  were  learning  the 
Cantata  of  Esther  for  a  concert ;  and  Mr.  White, 
knowing  her  natural  musical  powers,  sent  her  the 
part  of  Queen  Esther  to  learn  by  herself.  But  as 
she  had  given  up  her  school,  she  returned  to  Nash- 
ville, and  practiced  with  the  class.  She  performed, 
in  Masonic  Hall,  in  Nashville,  the  part  of  Queen  Es- 
ther, with  almost  strange  credit  to  herself,  and  to  the 
Avonderful  delight  of  the  people.  She  remained  dur- 
ing  the   summer   at   the  University  for  musical   drill 


ISAAC  P.    DICKERSON. 

Photographed  by  BLACK. 


Page  67. 


Their  Personal  History.  67 

with  the  class,  and  in  the  antumn  left  Nashville  with 
the  other  Jubilee  Singers  on  their  adventurous  sing- 
ing tour." 

"Isaac  Dickerson  was  born  at  Wytheville,  Va., 
July  15,  1850.  His  father  and  mother  were  both 
slaves.  He  can  just  remember  when  his  father  was 
sold  to  a  Richmond  slave-trader.  His  mother  died 
when  he  was  about  five  years  old.  He  always  speaks 
very  pleasantly  of  his  owners.  He  worked  in  the 
house  until  the  war  broke  out.  His  master  was  Cap- 
tain J.  F.  Kent,  who,  at  the  very  commencement  of 
the  war,  was  at  Harper's  Ferry.  Shortly  after,  his 
master  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  Home  Guards,  and 
Isaac  was  with  him  in  the  camp.  They  were  in  several 
fights,  when  the  Yankees  came  in  —  one  at  Wytheville, 
one  at  Marion,  and  two  at  King's  Saltworks.  At 
Wytheville  they  took  the  village  and  captured  the 
men.  His  master  made  his  escape  on  a  swift  horse ; 
but  Isaac,  with  the  rest  of  the  captives,  was  marched 
some  seventy-five  miles,  and  then  paroled.  He  prom- 
ised to  remain  with  a  Yankee  officer  as  servant ;  but 
when  he  saw  his  master's  friends  returning,  his  heart 
failed  him,  and  he  hastened  after.  Two  weeks  after 
the  war  his  master  told  him  he  was  free,  and  for  three 
weeks  he  wandered  about  trying  to  find  work,  and 
finally  was  engaged  as  table  waiter  at  Colonel  Boyd's 
hotel.     Here  he  received  ten  dollars  a  month,  and  after 


68  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

saving  up  a  little  sum,  went  to  Chattanooga.  He 
worked  first  in  a  hotel  and  then  in  a  Jew's  store. 
In  this  store  his  employer's  little  son  taught  him  his 
letters.  He  made  the  acquaintance  of  Rev.  Mr.  Tade, 
Superintendent  of  the  A.  M.  A.  school  in  Chatta- 
nooga. This  gentleman  hired  him  to  cook  for  the 
mission  family,  and  allowed  him  to  attend  school 
certain  hours.  One  winter  he  spent  as  waiter  at 
Lookout  Mountain  Institute.  For  six  months  he  taught 
school  in  Wauhatchie,  Tenn.  This  was  in  the  region 
where  colored  teachers  were  not  in  special  favor  with 
the  white  people  ;  and  I  have  heard  it  reported  that 
Dickerson  himself  had  sundry  warnings  written  upon 
the  trees  for  him,  and  notes  to  quit  brought  him  by 
the  children,  as  well  as  some  other  forcible  invitations 
to  leave.  He  remained,  however,  till  the  end  of  the 
term.  His  experience  may  have  been  worth  some- 
thing to  him,  but  his  purse  was  not  much  the  heavier 
for  his  six  months'  work ;  for  I  cannot  learn  that  he 
ever  received  any  wages,  though  promised  twenty-five 
dollars  a  month.  Then  he  came  to  Fisk  University. 
Having  no  money  to  start  with,  he  had  a  hard  struggle 
to  pay  his  way  ;  and  one  of  his  principal  studies  at  the 
school  had  to  be  economy.  He  was  noted,  from  his 
first  entrance  into  school,  for  his  fondness  for  music, 
and  in  the  Cantata  of  Esther  he  sang  the  part  of 
1  Haman.'  During  the  last  year  of  his  stay  at  the  Uni- 
versity, he  manifested  much  interest  in  religious  mat- 


v  \>»H' 


GREENE   EVANS. 


Photographed  by  BLACK. 


Page  69. 


' 


. 


Their  Personal  History.  69 

uts,  and  conducted  two  prayer  meetings   a   week  in 
little  cabins  not  far  from  the  school." 

"  Greene  Evans  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Tcnn.,  September  19,  1848.  His  father  belonged  to 
the  richest  man  in  the  county,  who  owned  some  fifty  or 
sixty  slaves.  The  family  was  a  numerous  one,  there 
being  twenty-three  children,  eight  of  whom  only  are 
now  living.  His  master  removed  to  Memphis,  and 
remained  there  till  three  months  before  the  capture  of 
the  city  by  the  Union  troops.  That  year  both  master 
and  servants  spent  in  travelling  to  escape  Yankee  rule, 
sometimes  in  the  line  and  sometimes  ahead.  He  and 
his  brother  wrere  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  family 
for  three  years,  being  in  Macon,  Ga.,  and  Selma,  Ala. 
They  were  both  young,  and  when  they  found  the 
Yankee  army  was  near  Selma,  were  very  much  terri- 
fied. Packing  their  trunk,  putting  a  rope  around  it, 
and  bearing  it  between  them  by  means  of  a  long  stick, 
they  started  on  a  tramp  of  thirty-eight  miles.  At  the 
end  of  their  route  they  found  the  dreaded  Yankee 
army  as  near  as  at  the  beginning.  Making  the  best  of 
this  rnisfoitune,  Greene  very  soon  was  gaining  some 
knowledge  of  these  Yankees,  being  in  the  very  army 
as  an  officer's  servant.  lie  remained  in  connection 
with  the  army  two  years  ;  and  when  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out,  in  1865,  he  went  with  one  of  the  officers 
to    Indianapolis,    and   waited  in  a  restaurant  at  forty 


70  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

dollars  a  month.  Afterwards  he  was  at  the  Bates 
Hotel,  where  he  hired  a  man  to  teach  him.  In  1866  he 
returned  to  Memphis,  found  his  father,  mother,  brother, 
and  sisters.  Here  he  was  porter  at  the  Memphis  and 
Ohio  Railroad  depot  until  taken  ill  with  small-pox. 
This  confined  him  to  his  bed  for  six  weeks.  On  his 
recovery  he  commenced  attending  night  school,  and 
shortly  after  left  work,  that  he  might  have  the  greater 
advantage  of  day  school. 

"  September  10,  1868,  found  him  at  Fisk  University, 
with  fifty  dollars  in  money.  He  earned  twenty-five 
dollars  that  session  in  extra  work  at  the  school  in  paint- 
ing, hauling  gravel,  and  sodding,  and  left  at  the  close 
of  the  year  forty-two  dollars  in  debt.  During  vacation 
he  taught  school  in  Tennessee,  near  Mississippi.  The 
school-house  was  in  one  state,  and  most  of  the  scholars 
came  from  the  other.  He  commenced  with  Sunday 
school  in  a  bush  arbor,  with  eighty-seven  scholars. 
Monday  found  fifteen  children  at  the  school.  He  en- 
rolled their  names,  and  then,  as  they  had  to  jump  from 
sleeper  to  sleeper,  was  very  glad  to  give  place  to  some 
men  with  boards  for  flooring,  and  with  his  own  hands 
to  help  lay  the  very  foundations  of  his  school.  Then,  as 
there  were  no  seats,  he  sawed  some  blocks,  placed  these 
at  proper  intervals,  and  laid  rough  timber  across.  There 
was  neither  door  nor  window,  yet  the  log  building  did 
not  lack  for  ventilation,  for  a  bird  could  fly  through 
anywhere.     After  trying  to  teach  the  little  ones  to 


Their  Personal  History.  71 

balance  themselves  on  this  rude  staging,  and  finding 
they  would  roll  off  notwithstanding  his  exertions,  he 
determined  to  better  the  aspect  and  comfort  of  things 
if  possible;  so  he  begged  a  couple  of  mules,  appointed 
a  monitor  over  his  school,  and  went  into  the  woods 
to  haul  timber.  After  some  delay  it  was  sawed.  Then 
drafting  his  large  boys  into  the  service,  they  split  the 
boards  to  convenient  length  and  size,  carried  out  the 
stumps,  put  legs  to  the  boards  and  backs  to  the  seats. 
After  waiting  to  the  extent  of  his  patience  for  more 
lumber,  he  concluded  to  haul  again,  this  time  for 
desks.  These  desks  were  of  rude  construction,  but 
they  answered  the  purpose  after  a  fashion,  and  helped 
many  of  his  pupils  to  make  their  pot-hooks  and  curves. 
He  had  a  chair  that  had  been  lent  him,  but  the  woman, 
finding  it  difficult  to  get  along  without  her  only  chair, 
came  for  it  one  day,  and  nothing  was  left  for  him  but 
to  make  a  substitute.  By  the  time  these  improvements 
had  been  made  it  was  growing  cool,  and  the  cracks 
must  be  stopped ;  then  a  window  cut. 

"  Thus  passed  the  first  summer.  He  returned  to 
Nashville,  paid  his  indebtedness  for  the  previous  year, 
and  went  on  with  his  studies  another  session.  He 
was  desired  to  take  the  same  school  the  following 
year.  This  summer  his  building  proved  too  small ; 
and,  after  trying  in  vain  to  buy  some  timber,  he 
finally  borrowed  some  one  evening  while  the  owner 
was   absent  —  the   only   apology   for   which   must    be 


72  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

found  in  the  fact  that,  during  his  days  of  slavery, 
he  was  not  favorably  situated  for  learning  nice  dis- 
tinctions between  thine  and  mine.  On  the  appear- 
ance of  the  owner  next  morning  he  was  propitiated, 
and  the  work  went  on.  The  school  proved  a  great 
success,  and  he  returned  to  Nashville  for  another 
year." 


Nashville  to  Oberlin.  73 


CHAPTER  V 


NASHVILLE    TO    OBERLIN. 


THE  little  gathering  we  had  held  at  the  doctor's 
for  listening  to  the  histories  of  the  Jubilee  Singers, 
as  given  in  the  last  chapter,  proved  so  interesting,  that 
the  company  urged  that  the  meetings  be  continued  until 
I  had  related  the  story  of  their  adventures  from  the 
start,  on  the  6th  of  October,  till  their  return  on  the  1st 
of  May,  with  6-0,000.  Although  I  did  not  accompany 
them  during  the  first  three  months  of  their  campaign, 
yet  it  was  easy  for  me,  from  the  diaries  that  were 
kept  and  the  connection  I  held  with  the  company,  to 
collect  the  facts,  and  arrange  them  for  the  evening 
gatherings. 

The  first  evening  I  found  the  doctor's  house  filled 
to  overflowing,  and  after  the  Singers  had  sung,  "  My 
Lord  says  there's  room  enough,"  and  "  Didn't  my  Lord 
deliver  Daniel  ?  "  I  commenced :  — 

"As  I  said  at  the  Monthly  Concert,  the  Jubilee 
Singers  had  been  advised  by  the  Trustees  of  Fi.sk 
University    to   come   North   and   earn   money  for   the 


74  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

institution.  The  idea  was  not  a  new  one,  but  had 
been  discussed  for  months,  and  even  years,  before  the 
campaign.  The  obstacle  in  the  way  of  such  an  enter- 
prise was  an  empty  treasury.  To  keep  students  at 
school  for  the  necessary  drill  before  starting  out,  and  to 
clothe  them,  and  pay  their  passage  North,  involved  an 
expense  of  from  one  to  two  thousand  dollars.  The  Uni- 
versity could  not  advance  the  money,  as  it  had  none. 
The  American  Missionary  Association  did  not  feel  at 
liberty  to  use  the  contributions  of  the  people  for 
missionary  work  in  support  of  an  untried  enterprise, 
that  might  fail  in  meeting  the  expenses  of  the  adven- 
ture, or  the  approbation  of  its  friends.  These  circum- 
stances were  explained  to  Professor  White.  His  class, 
however,  had  received  much  of  the  proposed  training 
for  the  concerts ;  and,  declining  the  offer  of  a  business 
man  of  his  acquaintance  to  go  in  company  with  him 
on  a  concert  tour  for  their  mutual  profit,  —  with  the 
assertion  that  the  Singers  must  promote  missionary 
work,  and  advertise  the  American  Missionary  Associa- 
tion, if  they  gave  concerts  at  all, — Mr.  White  took  the 
risk  himself,  and  started  for  Cincinnati,  purposing  to 
give  a  series  of  concerts  as  an  experiment.  He  inferred 
if  the  Association  should  come  to  believe  that  the 
impressions  made  by  the  Singers  would  lead  to  more 
liberal  giving  by  the  churches,  and  money  be  secured 
for  Fisk  University,  the  officers  would  use  them 
under  its  auspices,  and  a  great  good  be  accomplished. 


Nashville  to  Obeklin.  75 

With  these  convictions,  he  started  from  Nashville  on 
the  6th  of  October,  expecting  to  return  after  a  few 
weeks  or  months  at  the  most.  The  company  numbered 
thirteen  in  all,  —  Professor  White,  Miss  Wells,  for 
some  years  Principal  of  a  school  for  Freedmen  at 
Athens,  Ala.,  and  eleven  colored  students. 

44  On  reaching  the  depot,  though  holding  first-class 
tickets,  they  were  shown  into  a  caboose  car,  or,  as  one 
of  them  styled  it,  a  'chicken  box;'  and  in  this  they 
rode  through  the  day,  reaching  Cincinnati  in  the 
evening.  Here  they  found  lodging  in  a  colored  board- 
ing-house ;  and,  the  next  day,  Saturday,  visited  the 
Exposition,  which,  at  the  time,  was  attracting  a  large 
number  of  visitors.  On  reaching  the  musical  depart- 
ment, Professor  White  requested  Miss  Sheppard  to 
play  Annie  Laurie,  with  variations  upon  the  piano. 
Almost  at  once  a  crowd  gathered,  and  exclamations 
were  heard  on  all  sides,  '  Only  see  !  she's  a  nigger.' 
4  Do  you  see  that  ?  '  4  Do  you  hear  that  ?  Why,  she's 
a  nigger.'  On  being  invited  to  sing,  the  troupe  gave 
4  Star-spangled  Banner,'  with  ;  Red,  White,  and  Blue,' 
4  Away  to  the  Meadows,'  and  other  favorites,  every 
note  seeming  to  increase  the  crowd,  till  it  became  so 
great  one  could  scarcely  tell  where  it  commenced. 
Wherever  the  Singers  moved  the  crowd  followed, 
with  an  admiration  entirely  new  to  these  people,  who, 
for  many  years,  had  no  rights  a  white  man  was  bound 
to  respect. 


76  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

"  On  Saturday  evening,  Rev.  Mr.  Moore  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Halley  met  Mr.  White  at  a  church  lecture-room, 
to  listen  to  a  few  pieces  of  music,  with  reference  to 
Sabbath  services;  and  were  so  pleased,  that  they 
decided  at  once  to  hold  praise  meetings  the  next 
day,  to  afford  the  people  opportunity  to  listen  to 
their  songs.  The  success  of  these  praise  meetings 
can  be  gathered  by  the  following  extract  from  a  Cin- 
cinnati paper : — 

"  4  A  vast  crowd  filled  the  church  to  overflowing,  and 
was  entertained  and  benefited  by  music  conducted  by 
ten  students  from  Fisk  University,  Nashville.  The 
music  was  strictly  devotional,  and  was  preceded  by  a 
prayer  from  the  pastor  of  the  church,  the  Rev.  E. 
Halley,  and  accompanied  by  explanatory  remarks  by 
him  and  Professor  White.  The  opening  piece  was 
entitled,  "Children,  you'll  be  called  on  to  march  in 
the  field  of  battle."  It  was  a  deep,  pathetic  incentive 
to  Christian  exertion.  Next  came  "Broken-hearted, 
weep  no  more."  The  hymn  which  followed  was  the 
masterpiece  of  the  evening ;  rough  in  language,  it  was 
richly  melodious,  and  showed  that  analogy  between 
the  feeling  of  the  slaves  at  the  South  and  that  of  the 
captive  Israelites,  upon  which  Mrs.  Stowe  has  dwelt 
so  much  in  her  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin.  It  began  with 
"  Go  down,  Moses."  Then  came  "  Singing  for  Jesus," 
"  My  Lord  says  there's  room  enough;"  "  O,  redeemed, 
redeemed,  I'm  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,"  was 


Nashville  to  Obeelin.  77 

sung  beautifully  by  the  rich,  clear  voices.  What  might 
be  done  with  such  voices,  subjected  to  early,  thorough, 
and  skilful  culture,  the  singing  of  last  night  afforded 
a  faint  intimation.  The  unaffected,  simple  fervor, 
breathing  forth  the  soul,  were  remarkable  and  touch- 
ing qualities  of  the  performance.' 

"  This  was  written  after  the  success.  Saturday  even- 
ing Rev.  H.  D.  Moore  visited  the  office  of  a  city  paper, 
told  the  Bohemians  of  the  wonderful  impression  made 
by  the  students,  and  asked  that  notice  be  given  in  the 
paper  that  they  would  sing  at  his  church  the  next 
morning.     The  following  item  appeared  : — 

" 4  A  band  of  negro  minstrels  will  sing  in  the  Vine 
Street  Congregational  Church  this  morning.  They  are 
genuine  negroes,  and  call  themselves  "  Colored  Chris- 
tian Singers."  ' 

"  But  no  matter  how  the  crowd  was  called,  when 
once  under  the  magnetism  of  their  music,  prejudice 
melted  way,  and  praise  of  their  performance  was  upon 
every  tongue.  On  Monday  evening  a  free  concert 
was  given,  and  a  collection  taken  at  its  close.  A 
large  company  was  in  attendance,  but  the  contribution 
was  small.  On  Tuesday  the  company  rested,  visited 
among  acquaintances,  and  received  calls.  Rev.  H. 
D.  Moore  gave  Miss  Sheppard  the  following  original 
hymn:  — 


78  The  Jubilee  Singers. 


"'MAN'S  HEART. 

"'Man's  heart,  'tis  said,  is  like  a  harp, 

With  many  and  many  a  string, 
That  from  its  chords  the  master  hand 

Of  Time  doth  music  bring ; 
A  strange  life  harp,  indeed,  it  is  — 

We're  laughing  now,  now  weeping,  — 
Tears,  smiles, 
This  harp  beguiles, 
Just  as  the  hand  is  sweeping. 

"  *  Is  it  wrong  to  call  our  life  a  song  ? 

Some  songs  there  are  of  sadness; 
Too  many  give  a  sigh  for  grief, 
And  sing  a  song  for  gladness. 
I'd  have  my  harp  strings  wet  with  tears 
Sometimes,  and  sing  of  sorrow, — 
The  darkest  day, 
Will  turn  away, 
And  gladness  comes  to-morrow.' 

"  On  Wednesday  the  troupe  went  to  Columbia,  and 
gave  a  concert  in  Rev.  Mr.  Jones's  church,  where 
they  were  encouraged  by  an  appreciative  audience. 

■"  Thursday  they  proceeded  to  Chillicothe.  At  this 
place  a  new  feature  of  their  mission  presented  itself. 
Professor  White  called  at  one   of  the  principal  hotels 


Nashville  to  Oberlin.  79 

for  entertainment,  but  was  refused.  He  applied  to 
another,  but  was  refused  again.  At  last  he  called 
at  the  American  Hotel,  and  was  admitted,  the  land- 
lord giving  up  his  bedroom  to  them  to  be  used  for 
a  parlor,  and  allowing  them  to  sit  at  table  before  it  was 
time  for  others  to  come  in.  This  experience  in  seeming 
accommodations  revealed  forcibly  a  work  to  be  done 
for  the  colored  people.  Our  nation,  before  it  can 
honestly  claim  to  be  the  land  of  the  free,  where  all  are 
accorded  equal  rights,  must  see  to  it  that  public  convey- 
ances and  places  for  entertainment,  holding  licences 
for  doing  business,  and  entitling  themselves  to  protec- 
tion by  law,  make  no  distinction  whatever  on  account 
of  race  or  color.  Until  that  is  settled,  we  must  sit  with 
a  scar  of  the  dark  ages  upon  us.  When  a  very  popu- 
lar company  of  Singers  are  refused  accommodations 
because  their  skin  is  dark,  the  enormity  is  put  in  cap- 
itals, and  the  community  rebels  against  it ;  and  public 
sentiment  becomes  deepened  in  fixed  principles,  that 
are  foundations  for  reformatory  actions.  At  Chilli- 
cothe  the  Singers  were  honored  by  the  privilege  of 
promoting  right  sentiments  concerning  this  specious 
misdemeanor. 

M  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  great  Chicago  fire 
had  occurred  a  little  previous  to  this  time,  and  that 
the  whole  country  was  agitated  by  the  calamity, 
giving  their  thoughts  and  attention  largely  to  meas- 
ures   concerning   it.     Contributions   of    every   variety 


80  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

were  gathered,  and  sent  on  from  every  direction.  A 
company  of  children,  therefore,  with  a  new  enter- 
prise, however  worthy,  had  but  little  hope  of  turning 
public  attention  to  themselves;  and  this  embarrassed 
them  exceedingly  for  the  first  weeks  of  their  campaign. 
It  is  a  notable  fact  that  the  first  paid  concert  they  gave 
was  in  the  interest  of  the  Chicago  sufferers.  They 
were  heavily  in  debt  for  outfit,  scantily  clothed,  being 
almost  literally  without  scrip  or  shoes,  yet,  like  dis- 
ciples of  a  remoter  generation,  in  their  journeyings  they 
labored  first  for  others.  This  concert  for  Chicago  did 
not  prove  very  profitable,  however,  as  the  receipts 
amounted  to  but  little  over  forty  dollars.  The  people 
of  Chillicothe  were  much  gratified  with  the  entertain- 
ment, and,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Singers, 
printed  the  following  card,  which  was  signed  by  the 
mayor  and  a  large  number  of  the  citizens,  and  distrib- 
uted all  over  the  city  :  — 

"'To  the  Citizens  of  Chillicothe: 

"  4  The  undersigned  respectfully  call  your  attention 
to  the  Concert  of  the  Colored  Students  of  Fisk 
University,  to  be  given  to-night;  and  earnestly  hope 
you  will  give  them  an  overflowing  house. 

"  '  Those  of  us  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to  attend 
their  entertainment  last  evening,  take  pleasure  in 
saying  that  we  were  delighted  with  the  music  and 
recitations. 


Nashville  to    Oberlin.  81 

"'Aside  from  the  commendable  object  for  which 
these  concerts  are  given,  the  entertainments  are  most 
worthy  of  a  liberal  patronage  by  reason  of  their 
excellence. 

"  'In  this  connection,  we  tender  our  thanks  to  these 
young  colored  people  for  their  liberality  in  giving  the 
proceeds  of  last  evening's  concert  to  our  relief  fund 
for  the  Chicago  sufferers.' 

"  A  second  concert  was  given  with  so  much  satis- 
faction to  the  public,  that  Professor  White  was  urged 
to  remain  one  more  night,  that  a  still  greater  number 
might  have  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  the  music. 
Saturday  night  the  party  returned  to  Cincinnati,  to 
fill  engagements  for  the  Sabbath.  On  Sabbath  even- 
ing,  October  15,  the  Vine  Street  Church  was  densely 
crowded,  though  the  night  was  rainy,  to  welcome 
again  the  student  Singers.  The  fine  choir  of  the 
Cathedral  was  present  in  a  body,  and  sang  the 
'  Gloria,'  to  the  delight  of  the  colored  band.  It  was 
hoped  that  the  interest  manifested  in  the  series  of 
praise  services  held  in  Cincinnati,  inasmuch  as  they 
were  attended  with  increasing  enthusiasm,  regardless 
of  weather,  would  insure  a  large  attendance  on  Tues- 
day evening  at  Mozart  Hall,  where  they  were  to  give 
their  first  regular  concert  in  the  city  with  an  admis- 
sion fee.  But  they  were  doomed  to  disappointment. 
The  income  was  barely  sufficient  to  pay  expenses. 
6 


82  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

A  point  was  made,  however.  « It  was,'  said  one  of 
the  journals,  'probably  the  first  concert  ever  given 
by  a  colored  troupe  in  this  temple,  which  has  re- 
sounded with  the  notes  of  the  best  vocalists  of  the 
land.  The  sweetness  of  the  voices,  the  accuracy 
of  the  execution,  and  the  precision  of  the  time,  car- 
ried the  mind  back  to  the  early  concerts  of  the  Hutch- 
insons,  the  Gibsons,  and  other  famous  families,  who, 
years  ago,  delighted  audiences,  and  taught  them 
with  sentiment  while  they  pleased  them  with  melody.' 
>4  The  performances  were  indeed  very  meritorious,  and 
■the  singing,  particularly  of  little  Minnie  Tate,  was 
worthy  of  no  ordinary  commendation.'  It  was  at 
tthis  concert  Mr.  Dickerson  made  his  first  appearance 
in  the  Temperance  Medley.  He  is  described  as  stand- 
ing out  in  front  of  the  others,  with  a  long  rusty  coat 
.and  mutton-legged  pants,  by  far  too  short  for  him, 
with  low-quartered  shoes.  The  whole  class  were  said 
to  have  been  trembling  for  him,  while  his  knees 
knocked  together  like  chattering  teeth,  but,  under  his 
magnetism,  the  audience  seemed  to  lose  their  identity, 
.and  swayed  to  and  fro  like  trees  in  a  tempest.  Jen- 
nie Jackson,  also,  came  in  for  a  share  of  applause 
while  singing  '  Loving  heart,  trust  on,'  and  as  an 
encore,  '  Old  Folks  at  Home.'  When  the  piano  intro- 
duction announced  this  famous  Southern  melody,  there 
was  a  murmur  of  applause,  which  was  suppressed  at 
the   time,  to  break  forth  at  the  close  of  the  perform- 


Nashville  to  Oberlin.  83 

ancc  ;  and,  if  the  newspaper  reports  are  reliable,  the 
most  of  her  auditors  4  were  as  well  satisfied  to  hear 
this  simple  melody  from  the  lips  of  one  of  the  race 
for  which  it  was  written,  and  who  needed  none  of 
the  arts  of  the  stage  to  weave  about  it  charms  to 
captivate,  as  they  were  to  listen  to  it  from  the  most 
distinguished  vocalist  of  the  times. 

"On  the  19th  they  journeyed  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  to 
fill  an  appointment  they  had  made  at  Black's  Opera 
House.  On  their  arrival  at  the  hall,  they  found  but 
a  handful  of  people,  —  less  than  twenty,  —  and,  with 
aching  hearts,  they  announced  that  they  would  post- 
pone the  entertainment  till  the  next  evening. 

"  On  Friday  morning  Mr.  White  visited  the  Synod 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  which  was  at  that  time 
in  session,  and  stated  the  object  of  his  mission  North, 
indicating  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  have  that 
body  hear  his  students  sing.  He  was  told  that  the 
business  committee  would  act  upon  the  suggestion 
and  report ;  which  they  did  accordingly,  and  the 
Singers  were  invited  to  appear  and  sing  a  half  hour ; 
but  so  great  was  the  interest  manifested  by  the 
clergy  present,  it  was  a  full  hour  before  the  Synod 
would  excuse  them. 

"No  songs  stirred  the  hearts  of  the  divines  like 
those  embodying  the  histories  of  ancient  Israel.  '  Go 
down,  Moses;  Tell  ole  Pharaoh  let  my  people  go,'  was 
a  special  favorite,  and  ■  Turn   back   Pharaoh's  army ' 


84  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

awakened  so  much  enthusiasm,  the  audience  are  said 
to  have  4  testified  their  delight  in  a  vociferous,  heart- 
felt, and  decidedly  unclerical  manner,  with  hands,  feet, 
and  voices.' 

"  However  unclerical  their  applause  may  have  been, 
they  with  one  accord  did  a  very  clerical  thing  in  taking 
up  a  collection,  amounting  to  $105,  and  passing  the 
following  resolution,  which  indicates,  even  better  than 
the  collection,  the  great  good  God  is  privileging  these 
representative  Africans  to  perform  for  their  race. 

"Resolved.  That  the  singing  of  the  songs  of  Zion 
by  the  students  of  Fisk  University  has  profoundly 
stirred  our  hearts,  and  awakened  anew  our  sympathy 
for  the  freed  people  of  the  South.  We  heartily  com- 
mend Professor  George  L.  White  and  his  company 
to  the  favor  of  the  Christian  community,  and  feel  as- 
sured that  their  appearance  before  the  public  will  tend 
greatly  to  increase  the  interest  that  is  felt  in  the  re- 
ligious education  of  the  millions  of  our  fallen  country- 
men, who,  by  the  wondrous  providence  of  God,  have 
so  recently  been  released  from  the  fetters  of  bon- 
dage. 

"  One  of  the  brethren,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  arose  to 
relate  a  little  incident  in  his  own  experience.  When 
he  went  to  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  after  having 
lost  two  sons,  he  passed  a  slave  cabin  where  colored 
people  were  praying  for  the  success  of  the  army,  and 
singing   some   of  their   songs   of  faith;    and  the  in- 


Nasiiville  to  Oberlin.  85 

flaence  of  their  devotions  so  softened  his  own  heart, 
he  had  from  that  day  felt  a  peace  and  resignation  that 
had  been  to  him  a  lasting  consolation. 

"A  concert  was  given  on  the  evening  of  that  day, 
but  a  large  Sunday  school  meeting  drew  the  most  of 
the  people  who  might  otherwise  have  been  present. 

"  On  the  Sabbath,  by  invitation  of  a  committee  from 
a  colored  church,  they  attended  worship  to  sing,  and 
receive  a  collection  that  was  promised;  but  no  op- 
portunity was  granted  them  to  sing  until  the  usual 
church  services  were  over,  when  the  clergyman  an- 
nounced that  the  usual  contribution  would  be  taken, 
after  which  some  students  from  Fisk  University  would 
sing,  and  another  collection  be  taken  for  their 
benefit.  Upon  this  announcement,  Mr.  White  and 
the  Singers  withdrew. 

"  During  these  days  of  experiment  and  trial,  Mr. 
White  was  obliged  to  perform  the  part  of  advance 
agent,  to  arrange  for  coming  concerts,  musical  di- 
rector, to  determine  what  should  be  sung,  and  how, 
also  as  porter,  ticket  seller,  advertising  agent,  and  all. 
Those  familiar  with  enterprises  of  the  kind  understand 
that  to  do  a  profitable  business,  it  is  necessary  to  have 
a  business  manager,  who  lays  out  the  routes,  visits 
or  corresponds  with  editors  and  public  men,  and 
arranges  the  general  plan  of  the  campaign.  Then 
an  advance  agent  goes  forward  and  puts  these 
plans   in  operation.     A   treasurer  pays   bills,  sells  or 


86  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

takes  tickets,  and  provides  for  details;  while  the 
musical  director  arranges  programmes,  drills  the 
chorus,  and  answers  the  ten  thousand  inquiries  of 
admiring  friends.  Then,  when  there  are  school 
girls  in  the  company,  and  especially  those  not  ac- 
customed to  appear  in  cultivated  society  on  special 
occasions,  a  governess  is  needed  to  care  for  the 
general  deportment  and  appearance  of  the  company. 
Financial  success  is  not  achieved  without  an  intelli- 
gent and  experienced  faculty,  and  a  host  of  allies, 
who  must  be  induced  to  co-operate  at  the  right  mo- 
ment; otherwise  ever  so  popular  a  company  would 
fail  to  pay  expenses.  Mr.  White  had  upon  his  hands 
the  work  of  four  men  at  least.  On  the  23d  he  started 
off  as  advance  agent,  leaving  Miss  Wells,  the  gover- 
ness, and  Miss  Sheppard,  pianist,  to  manage  a  con- 
cert at  Yellow  Springs,  where  they  had  made  an 
appointment.  The  professors  at  Antioch  College  com- 
mended the  enterprise  to  the  students,  and  co-operated 
as  well  as  they  could  in  securing  an  instrument  for 
the  occasion.  The  concert  was  held  in  a  colored 
Baptist  church,  which  was  promised  free  of  expense. 
A  goodly  number  were  present  within,  and  a  large 
company  of  men  and  boys  outside,  hanging  upon  the 
windows.  At  the  interval,  Greene  Evans,  who  was 
appointed,  in  Mr.  White's  absence,  to  explain  the 
object  of  the  mission,  took  upon  himself  the  task  of 
rebuking  the  outsiders  —  who  were  climbing  up  some 


Nashville  to  Obeklin.  87 

other  way,  instead  of  coming  honestly  in  at  the  door, 
—  much  to  the  delight  of  his  auditors. 

"  October  24th  the  band  proceeded  to  Xenia,  Ohio, 
to  give  a  concert  at  City  Hall.  They  were  cordially 
welcomed  by  the  faculty  and  students  of  Wilberforce 
University,  and  sang  several  songs  in  the  chapel  to 
the  great  delight  of  all  parties.  Bishop  Paine  made 
an  address,  and  pronounced  a  benediction  over 
them  at  their  departure.  The  proceeds  of  the  two 
concerts  at  this  place  amounted  to  eighty-four  dollars, 
and  the  stimulus  they  gave  to  the  young  colored  stu- 
dents at  the  institution  made  this  visit  one  of  much 
profit. 

"  Thomas  Rutling,  at  this  place,  interested  himself 
in  watching  some  parties  unloading  corn,  and  did  not 
observe  the  train  that  took  the  other  singers  on  to 
Charleston ;  but  as  Miss  Wells  had  been  detained  to 
complete  some  business,  he  found  his  destination  in 
season  to  participate  in  a  part  of  the  forthcoming  en- 
tertainment. At  Charleston,  Mr.  Jones  assisted  Mr. 
White  in  working  up  a  very  successful  concert  for  those 
early  days  of  the  campaign. 

"  The  day  had  been  rainy,  but  so  poorly  off  for  cloth- 
ing were  many  of  them,  that  Miss  Sheppard  had  trav- 
elled about  several  hours  with  nothing  but  cloth  slip- 
pers for  her  feet.  A  more  poverty-stricken  company 
were  never  out  on  such  a  noble  mission,  for,  after  pay- 
ing hotel,  printers',  and  hall  bills,  they  were  fortunate 


88  The  Jubilee  SiisiGEiis. 

if  they  had  sufficient  money  to  reach  their  next  ap- 
pointment. There  were  times  when  the  combined 
faith  of  the  whole  party  was  needed  every  day  to  eu  - 
courage  them  to  move  on;  and  if  the  prayers  they 
said  could  be  gathered  up,  and  the  hardships  they  ex- 
perienced told,  all  would  accord  that,  humanly  speak- 
ing, they  merited  the  success  they  afterwards  attained. 

"  On  arriving  at  London,  the  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  who  had  heard  of  their  success  before 
the  Presbyterian  Synod,  gave  Mr.  White  his  hearty 
co-operation,  and  worked  so  energetically  to  secure 
a  full  attendance  at  the  entertainment,  that  his  friends 
began  to  jeer  him  respecting  his  negro  minstrels ;  but 
at  the  close,  so  great  was  the  pleasure  of  the  people, 
he  felt  doubly  repaid  by  the  thanks  of  his  friends  who 
had  attended  at  his  suggestion. 

"  The  Sabbath  following  was  spent  at  Columbus,  the 
chorus  singing  in  the  Congregational  Church  in  place 
of  the  regular  choir  in  the  morning,  and  at  Sabbath 
School  Concert  in  the  afternoon.  This  gathering  was 
one  of  great  interest.  Rev.  Horace  Winslow,  of  Con- 
necticut, a  life-long  friend  of  the  slave  and  a  former  agent 
of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  was  present 
to  see  some  results  of  his  missionary  labors,  and  to 
speak  words  of  cheer  to  a  new  class  of  agents  who 
had  come  to  sing  money  from  the  pockets  of  the 
people. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Munroe,  of  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  was  also 


Nashville  to  Obeblin.  89 

at  the  meeting,  and  in  his  remarks,  spoke  of  the  slave 
songs  to  which  they  had  listened,  as  being  like  the 
wine  that  had  been  trodden  from  the  grapes.  They 
were  like  the  blood  of  the  bondmen,  that  had  been 
crying  unto  heaven,  till  God  came  in  retribution  and 
love,  and  gave  deliverance.  No  other  such  music  had 
an  existence  upon  earth,  for  never  had  there  been 
circumstances  favorable  for  the  production  of  just 
such  music.  Professor  John  Ogden,  the  former  prin- 
cipal of  Fisk  University,  was  also  present ;  and  after 
earnest  remarks  concerning  the  necessity  of  afford- 
ing the  freedmen  opportunities  for  a  higher  intelli- 
gence, he  invited  the  Singers  to  visit  him  and  his 
Normal  School  at  Worthington. 

"  At  this  place  the  company  remained  several  days 
for  rest,  and  to  await  arrangements  that  Mr.  White 
might  make  for  the  future.  Mrs.  Ogden  had  given  in- 
struction in  music  to  the  students  at  Fisk  University, 
and  took  great  interest  in  their  success  before  the  pub- 
lic. A  concert  was  given,  and  sixty  dollars  realized. 
Their  next  appointment  was  at  Delaware,  where  they 
sang  November  3d,  at  Williams's  Opera  House,  and 
visited  the  Wesleyan  University.  The  newspapers  in 
this  place,  as  well  as  in  many  other  places,  spoke  in 
high  commendation  of  Master  Georgie  Wells,  a  lad  of 
eight  years,  who  occupied  the  intervals  between  the 
choruses,  with  recitations  or  songs.  He  was  born 
of  a  slave  mother,  who  died  before  he  was  two  years 


90  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

old.  His  father  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  and 
lived  but  a  few  months.  Georgie  was  left  in  the 
charge  of  a  decrepit  old  woman,  almost  as  helpless 
as  himself.  After  the  army  had  passed  but  little  pro- 
vision was  to  be  had,  even  by  the  most  enterprising. 
Hungry  and  nearly  naked,  this  little  fellow  found 
his  way  into  camp,  and  by  singing  and  rollicking 
among  the  soldiers  made  himself  a  general  favorite, 
and  found  abundant  supply  for  his  wants. 

"  After  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops,  he  once  more 
fell  into  the  hands  of  those  who  did  not  appreciate 
his  nature  or  care  for  his  comfort.  For  two  years 
he  suffered  neglect  and  hardship.  His  propensity  for 
mischief  developed  very  rapidly,  and  brought  upon 
him  increasing  hardships  and  abuse.  One  day  he  was 
tied  with  a  rope  to  a  post  in  the  garden,  and  told 
to  watch  the  pigs ;  when,  gnawing  asunder  the  rope, 
he  made  his  escape,  and  journeyed  on  the  railroad  till, 
tired  out,  he  lay  down  to  sleep.  The  next  day  he 
was  picked  up  by  an  officer  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau, 
crying  most  piteously,  and  inquiring  for  Miss  Wells. 

"  This  lady,  who  was  principal  of  the  school  of  the 
American  Missionary  Association  at  Athens,  Ala.,  had 
a  reputation  throughout  that  region  of  country,  and 
the  little  fellow  divined  if  he  found  her  he  would  be 
protected ;  nor  was  he  mistaken.  Miss  Wells  received 
him  to  her  house,  washed,  combed,  and  clothed  him, 
and  gave  him  a  home  such  as  he  had  never  conceived 


Nashville  to  Obeklin.  91 

of  before.  When  Mr.  White  left  Nashville  with  the 
Singers  he  was  in  need  of  a  governess,  and  Miss  AY  ells' 
experience  and  success  had  been  so  great,  he  gladly 
availed  himself  of  her  services ;  and  Georgie,  who  has 
been  constantly  under  her  care  since  he  first  found  her, 
also  joined  the  company.  His  ability  in  declamation 
and  song,  considering  his  age,  was  indeed  wonderful. 
His  rendering  of  the  '  Hard-Shell  Sermon,'  '  Sheri- 
dan's Ride,'  and  '  The  Smack  in  School,'  was  simply 
inimitable.  The  audience  seemed  never  to  have 
enough  of  it. 

"The  success  of  the  Singers  at  Delaware  was  the 
greatest  they  had  experienced,  and  they  took  fresh 
courage.  They  were  entertained  at  a  hotel,  the 
proprietor  of  which,  though  a  Democrat,  gave  them 
the  pleasure  of  enjoying  4  equal  rights '  for  the  first 
time  at  a  hotel.  They  were  allowed  to  sit  at  the 
same  table  with  the  white  people,  occupy  the  parlor, 
and  exercise  perfect  freedom. 

"  It  was  Mr.  White's  plan  to  visit  the  Council  of 
Congregational  Churches,  which  was  to  meet  at 
Oberlin  on  the  loth  of  November.  He  argued  that  if 
they  could  sing  before  that  body,  and  become  endorsed 
by  it,  he  would  at  least  have  an  apology  for  appearing  at 
Congregational  churches  throughout  the  country,  ask- 
ing for  assistance  in  his  efforts  to  raise  money.  He 
proposed  to  go  to  Oberlin  by  the  way  of  Cleveland, 
and  had  visited  several  of  the  pastors  of  that  city  to 


92  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

arrange  for  Sabbath  services  in  their  churches.  Here 
he  was  destined  to  embarrassment  that  became  com- 
mon all  through  the  year.  The  pastors  did  not  know 
how  the  thing  would  take ;  and  although  sympathizing 
with  the  work,  and  rendering  it  assistance  by  regular 
contributions,  they  were  uncertain  about  the  success 
of  such  an  agency.  But  Mr.  White  was  certain.  He 
knew  that  the  .music  carried  the  people  into  ecstasies 
of  sympathy  and  pleasure.  He  was  entirely  sure  if 
he  could  once  get  a  hearing,  all  would  thank  him 
for  bringing  his  students  to  their  knowledge ;  and  so 
it  was,  when  pastors  doubted  and  wrote  discouraging 
letters,  he  pressed  right  on,  undaunted,  to  victory.  This 
faith  in  certain  success,  if  he  could  but  hold  on,  was 
all  that  saved  the  Singers  to  the  country  for  many 
weeks,  when  they  were  pinched  by  poverty,  and  hardly 
knew  how  they  could  secure  their  next  day's  meals 
and  lodgings.  By  this  time  Fisk  University  began 
to  feel  his  absence  seriously,  and  the  fact  that  he  was 
earning  no  money  sent  no  words  of  encouragement,  and 
embarrassed  them  still  more.  With  less  faith  on  the 
part  of  the  company,  the  enterprise  would  have  been 
abandoned  at  once,  and  without  doubt  forever. 

"From  Delaware,  the  company  went  to  Welling- 
ton, where  they  stopped  at  the  American  House. 
Three  concerts  were  given  at  this  place;  the  last 
at  the  earnest  request  of  the  citizens,  but  no  great 
financial  success  was  gained.     On  Saturday,  the  11th, 


Nashville  to  Oberlin. 


93 


the  Singers  reached  Cleveland,  where  they  sang  at 
Dr.  Goodrich's  Church,  First  Presbyterian,  and  at  a 
gathering  of  the  Freedmen's  Christian  Association  ;  also 
at  Dr.  Wolcott's  Plymouth  Congregational  Church. 
In  the  clergymen  just  mentioned  the  Singers  found 
warm  and  valuable  friends. 

u  Dr.  Goodrich  wrote  for  the  New  York  Evangelist  a 
very  comprehensive  and  able  article,  giving  at  that 
time  expression  to  all  the  variety  of  appreciative  and 
excellent  remarks  concerning  the  Singers,  their  songs, 
and  the  effect,  that  have  been  lavished  upon  them 
since  they  became  so  famous. 

k*The  report  of  the  Sabbath  services  in  the  Cleve- 
land Herald  gives  voice  to  the  feelings  shared  by  a  large 
majority  of  those  who  have  listened  to  their  songs : 
4  We  do  not  mean,  of  course,  in  a  modern  artistic 
sense,  but  we  do  say,  no  rendition  we  ever  heard  went 
deeper  into  the  heart  of  an  audience,  or  more  per- 
fectly conveyed  the  sentiments  of  the  lines.  The 
congregation  sat  as  if  spellbound  till  the  last  faint 
notes  died  away. '  " 


94  The  Jubilee  Singers 


CHAPTER    VI. 

OBERLIN  TO  NEW  YORK. 

AT  the  last  gathering  held  at  the  doctor's,  it  was 
felt  that  the  sitting  was  too  long,  and  not  suffi- 
ciently enlivened  by  song  or  dialogue,  so  on  the  second 
evening,  when  we  assembled  to  proceed  with  the  narra- 
tive of  the  campaign,  I  promised  to  be  brief,  and 
to  allow  any  questions  or  observations  that  might  be 
wished.  Mr.  Thomas  Rutling,  by  special  request, 
sang  "  I'm  a  roving  little  darkie,  all  the  way  from 
Alabam,"  and  so  great  was  the  applause,  I  feared  the 
good  people  would  not  quiet  down  to  allow  us  to 
proceed,  but  Aunt  Catherine,  who  was  eager  for 
information,  begged  me  to  commence  at  once,  and  I 
went  on  as  follows  :  — 

"  Mr.  White  believed  if  he  could  reach  Oberlin, 
where  the  great  Congregational  Council  was  in  session, 
he  would  make  the  acquaintance  of  so  many  New 
England  men,  and  come  to  a  knowledge  of  so  large  a 
number  of  the  contributors  to  the  American  Mission- 
ary Association,  that  his  way  would  be  open  for  success. 


Oberlin  to  New  York.  95 

On  arriving  at  the  Park  House,  he  met  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Healy,  President  of  Straight  University,  who  listened 
to  several  songs,  and  afterwards  entered  with  all  his 
heart  into  efforts  to  bring  the  singers  before  the  Council. 
Rev.  Dr.  Wolcott,  of  Cleveland,  also  commended  them 
to  the  notice  of  the  delegates,  and  the  Council  took  a 
recess  in  an  afternoon's  session,  and  listened  to  a  few 
of  their  selections.  So  great  was  their  delight,  that  I 
have  heard  it  repeated  by  some,  that  nothing  which 
transpired  at  the  Council  so  interested  them  as  the 
singing  of  these  ex-slaves.  A  collection  amounting  to 
one  hundred  and  thirty-one  dollars  was  taken,  and  very 
many  congratulatory  and  encouraging  words  spoken  by 
one  and  another.  The  Singers  appeared  at  an  evening 
meeting  in  the  first  Congregational  Church,  where  they 
received  a  most  hearty  welcome.  Two  of  the  secreta- 
ries of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  under  the 
auspices  of  which  Fisk  University  was  established, 
were  present  at  this  Council,  and  they  agreed  that  it 
was  advisable  for  Mr.  White  to  work  his  way  on  to 
New  York.  As  he  needed  sadly  an  advance  agent,  Mr. 
G.  Stanley  Pope,  a  member  of  the  Oberlin  Theological 
Seminary,  and  a  former  missionary  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  was  employed  to  serve  for  a 
few  months. 

"  On  November  17th  Mr.  White  left,  and  gave  a 
concert  at  Case  Hall,  in  Cleveland. 

"  Although  the  Sabbath  before  the  churches  of  this 


96  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

city  were  crowded  to  hear  the  Singers,  and  the  people 
delighted  and  generous  in  their  gifts,  yet  the  attend- 
ance upon  the  concert  was  small,  and  the  receipts  in- 
sufficient to  pay  expenses.  Mr.  White  urged  the  peo- 
ple to  use  their  influence  to  fill  the  house  the  next 
night,  but  when  the  evening  came  he  found  but  a 
small  audience  present.  Before  the  close  of  the  enter- 
tainment, he  explained  to  the  people  the  benevolent 
designs  of  his  mission,  saying,  he  believed  he  was  called 
of  God  to  bring  these  students  North  to  awaken  an 
interest  in  behalf  of  their  race ;  affirming  that  he  had 
done  all  he  could,  that  he  expected  God  would  open 
the  way  before  him,  and  provide  the  means  necessary 
to  carry  the  enterprise  forward.  He  then  informed  the 
people  that  he  was  not  meeting  expenses.  The  fact 
that  it  was  Saturday  night,  and  that  he  had  barely 
money  enough  to  pay  for  the  hall,  and  not  a  dime  for 
the  boarding  of  the  students  till  Monday,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  taking  them  to  Columbus  where  they  had  an 
appointment,  without  doubt  gave  a  quality  to  his 
remarks.  Though  God  tries  his  children  when  lead- 
ing them  on  his  own  missions,  he  never  allows  them 
to  fail  in  accomplishing  that  whereunto  he  has  sent 
them.  On  this  evening  Mr.  E.  Chadwick  wrote  his 
check  for  a  hundred  dollars  on  the  back  of  a  pro- 
gramme, and  sent  it  to  Mr.  White.  Another  gentle- 
man gave  him  twenty-five  dollars,  and  two  others 
made    up    fifteen    more.      On  Sabbath    evening    the 


Obeblin  to  New  York 


97 


students  attended  a  mission  meeting,  and  sang  with 
great  acceptance.  Rev.  Dr.  Goodrich  was  present, 
and  presented  twenty-five  dollars  for  Fisk  Uni- 
versity. These  things  gave  courage  to  the  little 
band,  and  they  went  on  to  Columbus  rejoicing. 

"  It  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  movements  of  the 
Singers  involved  great  expense.  Case  Hall  at  Cleve- 
land rents  for  seventy-five  dollars  a  night,  and  to 
thoroughly  advertise  a  concert  in  such  a  city  costs 
from  twenty-five  to  fifty  dollars.  Add  to  this,  hotel 
bills  for  thirteen  people,  at  two  dollars  a  day  and  it 
will  be  easy  to  understand  wdiat  might  become  of 
presents  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  seventy 
dollars. 

"  At  Columbus  the  students  had  sung  to  delighted 
auditors  on  the  Sabbath,  two  weeks  before,  and  had 
advertised  their  proposed  concert  thoroughly ;  but,  on 
reaching  the  Opera  House,  they  found  but  few  persons 
present.  The  income  of  the  concert  would  not  pay 
expenses.  A  second  concert  was  given,  but  without 
financial  success.  There  were  appreciative  friends  in 
attendance,  however,  and  the  Singers  were  much 
pleased  with  a  call  from  the  governor's  wife,  and 
other  ladies  of  the  city.  Rev.  Mr.  Bennett,  with 
whose  church  at  Nashville  many  of  the  students  were 
connected,  was  present,  and  a  prayer  meeting  was  held, 
and  the  throne  of  grace  besought,  respecting  what  was 
to  be  done  with  the  enterprise.  Mr.  Bennett  was  one 
7 


98  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

of  the  trustees  of  the  University,  and  his  advice  was 
much  desired  on  that  account,  as  well  as  on  account 
of  his  past  great  personal  interest  in  the  company.  A  t 
the  prayer  meeting,  it  was  felt,  that  notwithstanding 
they  were  becoming  more  and  more  embarrassed  by 
debts,  and  frosts  and  snows  found  them  with  insuffi- 
cient clothing,  it  was  the  will  of  the  Lord  they  should 
go  forward.  It  was  here  that,  during  an  anxious  and 
.almost  sleepless  night,  Mr.  White  decided  to  name  his 
company  '  The  Jubilee  Singers.' 

^  November  23d  Mr.  White  reached  Zanesville,  and 
look  lodging  at  a  hotel.  The  six  girls  were  put 
into  a  single  room  over  a  shed.  In  the  middle  of 
the  room  stood  an  old  stove,  sending  out  more  smoke 
than  heat.  The  bed  clothing  was  so  offensive,  the 
young  ladies  rolled  the  most  of  it  in  a  bundle,  and  placed 
it  upon  the  porch,  and  slept  wrapped  in  their  water- 
proofs.    The  next  day  Dr. called,  and  wished  to 

hear  some  piano  music.  Mr.  White  opened  a  piano 
in  the  parlor,  and  requested  Miss  Sheppard  to  go  in  and 
play.  The  indignation  of  some  of  the  young  women 
belonging  to  the-  house  was  intense,  and  the  language 
Miss  Sheppard  heard  was  quite  mortifying,  but  she 
continued  playing  one  piece  after  another,  until  even  the 
woman  whi  had  been  so  much  disgusted  came  and  stood 
by  her  side,  and  desired  her  to  play  for  her  own  enter- 
tainment. This  circumstance  gives  in  a  nutshell  an 
illustration  of  the  work  the  Jubilee   Singers  were  at 


Obeklin  to  New  York.  99 

that  time  accomplishing.  People  came  to  despise,  to 
ridicule,  to  wonder,  but  remained  to  admire,  and  to 
bury  their  foolish  prejudices.  At  tins  place  the  Singers 
attended  a  prayer  meeting,  and  sang  to  a  crowded  house. 
They  also  gave  a  concert ;  but  the  attendance  was 
small,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  opportune  liberality 
of  Mr,  C.  W.  Potwin,  who  paid  their  hotel  bill  to  the 
amount  of  twenty-seven  dollars,  they  could  not  have 
met  expenses.  Their-  new  agent,  Mr.  G.  Stanley  Pope, 
joined  them  before  their  departure,  and  they  took 
fresh  courage  in  the  hope  that  more  assistance  would 
insure  financial  success. 

"  Rev.  Mr.  Munroe,  as  it  will  be  remembered,  met  the 
Singers  on  their  first  visit  to  Columbus,  and  was  there- 
fore prepared  to  give  them  a  hearty  welcome  at  Mount 
Vernon,  on  their  arrival  Saturday.  Here  Miss  Shep- 
pard  fell  sick,  and  the  doctor  advised  that  she  return  at 
once  to  Nashville  ;  but  Mr.  White  declined  to  act  upon 
this  advice,  with  a  faith  that  seems  almost  stubborn, 
believing  that  God  meant  his  company  should  move 
North,  pianist  and  all.  In  a  few  days  Miss  Sheppard 
recovered  sufficiently  to  resume  her  work. 

44  On  the  Sabbath  and  on  Monday  all  parties  were 
gratified  with  success.  The  concert  was  fully  attended, 
and  the  receipts  encouraging.  The  place  was,  indeed, 
a  Mount  Vernon  to  them,  amidst  a  wilderness  of  dis- 
couragements. Various  plans  were  devised  for  fill- 
ing the  houses  where  they  gave  concerts  on  week  days. 


100  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

One  of  these  was  to  give  a  free  concert,  and  take  a  col- 
lection. This  experiment,  which  had  been  tested 
before,  was  tried  again  at  Mansfield,  their  next  stop- 
ping-place. The  result  was,  the  house  was  crowded 
with  noisy  boys,  who  joined  the  Singers  in  some  of  their 
music,  but  were  minus  pennies  when  allowed  to  parti- 
cipate in  giving  a  contribution  ;  so  but  very  little  money 
was  received.  The  next  night  an  admission  fee  was 
asked,  but  scarcely  any  one  was  present ;  and  had  it 
not  been  that  some  one  proposed  a  collection,  Mr.  White 
would  have  been  unable  to  settle  up  and  purchase  tickets 
to  meet  his  next  appointment.  Thanksgiving  Day  was 
at  hand  ;  there  was  sufficient  money  in  the  treasury  to 
purchase  tickets  to  Akron,  so  they  went  on  to  that 
place.  Here  they  were  treated  with  consideration  at 
the  hotel,  and  given  a  Thanksgiving  supper  that  did 
credit  to  the  originators  of  that  memorable  festival. 
That  evening  they  sang  in  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  took  about  twenty  dollars.  By  request  they  gave 
a  matinee  the  next  afternoon,  and  a  concert  in  the 
evening.  Here  Mr.  Rutling  attempted,  by  himself,  a 
song,  with  an  accompaniment  upon  the  piano.  In  his 
fright,  he  played  in  one  key  and  sang  in  another,  — 
•an  experiment  he  found  unsuccessful.  As  Mr.  White 
was  not  in  the  habit  of  turning  back  in  those  days,  lie 
started  Rutling  again,  and  still  again,  till  he  made  a 
success,  and  received  a  hearty  encore. 

"  Meadville,    Penn.,    next    received    the    company. 


Oberlin  to  New  York.  101 

They  were  welcomed  by  the  Methodists,  who  gave 
them  the  use  of  their  church  free.  The  Sabbath 
services  were  full  of  interest,  and  the  concert  Monday 
night  a  moderate  financial  success. 

"  Winter  had  by  this  time  set  in.  Two  of  the  young 
men  had  no  overcoats,  and  being  unaccustomed  to  the 
cold  of  our  northern  latitudes,  were  really  suffering. 
By  borrowing  five  dollars  that  had  been  given  to  Min- 
nie Tate,  Mr.  White  was  able  to  collect  twenty-four 
dollars,  with  which  he  purchased  two  overcoats.  Pre- 
vious to  this  Professor  Ogden  had  given  a  coat  to  one 
of  the  young  men,  and  the  other  had  supplied  himself 
before  leaving  Nashville.  Miss  Wells  had  bestowed 
upon  Miss  Sheppard  a  warm  garment,  which  served  as 
a  cloak  ;  and  Jennie  Jackson  was  fitted  out  comfortably 
at  least ;  but  the  style  of  the  clothing  was  such,  that  it 
was  quite  common  at  that  time  for  people  to  ask  Miss 
Sheppard  if  Minnie  Tate  was  not  her  daughter,  —  Miss 
Sheppard  being  twenty  and  Minnie  fourteen ;  and 
Jennie  Jackson,  who  was  but  nineteen,  was  taken  to  be 
the  mother  of  Eliza  Walker,  who  was  fourteen. 

"  From  Meadville,  they  went  on  to  Jamestown,  where 
Re\ .  Mr.  Anderson,  formerly  Colonel  Anderson,  had 
arra  lged  for  a  praise  meeting  at  the  Congregational 
Church.  The  night  was  very  boisterous,  the  snow 
blocking  the  streets  and  impeding  travel,  yet  the  house 
was  well  filled.  An  old  gentleman  in  the  audience 
wished   the    privilege    of  remarking,    that   on  many  a 


102  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

stormy  night  like  that  they  were  experiencing  he  had 
taken  his  team  and  carried  children  like  these  across 
the  Jordan  into  Canada ;  and  now  he  thanked  God 
that  it  was  not  left  for  him  to  carry  these  Singers  out 
of  the  country  that  night  because  of  the  crime  of 
slavery.  A  day  of  better  things  had  come,  and  it 
rejoiced  his  heart  to  hear  such  songs  of  jubilee. 

"  On  the  next  evening  a  concert  was  given,  and 
although  the  storm  was  still  very  severe,  a  goodly 
number  were  out,  and  great  interest  manifested. 
Rev.  Mr.  Jones  gave  Mr.  White  fifty-five  dollars  for 
the  University.  By  the  urgent  request  of  the  people, 
the  Singers  agreed  to  remain  one  day  longer  than  they 
had  intended,  and  gave  a  second  concert,  which,  con- 
sidering the  weather,  was  quite  successful.  By  this 
time  Mr.  White  had  sufficient  money  for  tickets  to 
New  York  city. 

"  On  Friday,  at  4  P.  M.,  he  took  cars  for  Elmira ; 
arrived  about  midnight ;  applied  at  a  first-class  hotel  for 
lodging,  but  was  refused.  He  went  on,  however,  from 
one  hotel  to  another,  begging  to  have  his  students 
sheltered  until  he  found  his  advance  agent,  who  had 
previously  completed  arrangements  for  board. 

"  It  was  arranged  that  a  praise  meeting  should  be  given 
in  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  on  Sabbath  afternoon, 
and  so  announced  in  the  papers;  but  some  members 
of  the  society  objected,  as  is  supposed,  on  account  of 
the  color  of  the  students.     Efforts  were  made  to  give 


Obeklin  to  New   Yobk.  103 

up  the  meeting,  but,  on  the  assurance  of  Mr.  Pope,  that 
if  the  public  were  notified  that  the  meeting  was  aban- 
doned, the  reasons  for  its  abandonment  should  also  be 
given,  and  the  church  allowed  to  shoulder  the  respon- 
sibility, it  was  concluded  best  to  suffer  the  meeting  to 
take  place.  It  is  needless  to  say  the  praise  service  was 
successful  beyond  all  expectation.  On  Sabbath  even- 
ing the  Singers  sang  a  few  selections  at  Rev.  T.  K. 
Beecher's  service  at  the  Opera  House,  and  it  was 
announced  that  they  would  give  a  concert  at  his 
church  the  next  night.  The  concert  was  a  great 
success  every  way.  A  visit  was  paid  to  the  Elmira 
Female  College  on  Tuesday,  and  a  collection  given. 
Rev.  Mr.  Beecher  wrote  a  letter  to  his  brother,  Henry 
Ward,  commending  the  Singers  to  his  consideration. 
The  city  papers  were  lavish  in  their  praises,  and 
success  seemed  coming  at  last.  It  was  planned  to  hold 
a  praise  meeting  Tuesday  evening  at  Owego,  a  concert 
on  Wednesday,  and  then  proceed  to  Binghamton  on 
Thursday,  where  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor  was  devoting  his 
energies  to  insure  them  the  most  glorious  welcome  they 
had  ever  received.  The  praise  meeting  at  Owego  was 
acceptable,  but  the  concert  no  financial  success.  Mr. 
White  had  by  this  time  relieved  himself  somewhat  of 
the  financial  affairs  of  the  campaign,  turning  over  the 
management  to  Mr.  Pope.  The  latter  had  apprised 
Mr.  White  of  the  faet  that  Dr.  Taylor  expected  him 
on  Thursday  night  u.1   Binghamton,  but  starting  to  fill 


104  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

the  engagement,  he  received  a  telegram  from  New 
York  to  come  direct  to  that  city,  and  telegraphed 
forward  to  know  what  it  meant.  No  answer  came, 
although  he  had  asked  that  the  conductor  on  his  train 
be  informed.  On  reaching  Binghamton,  he  looked 
eagerly  for  some  message  or  information  respecting  the 
change ;  but  no  tidings  came,  and  no  clue  could  be 
gotten  to  the  state  of  affairs.  Under  such  circumstan- 
ces, he  felt  he  could  only  follow  instructions  from  his 
business  manager,  and  moved  on.  It  was  found  that 
a  mistake  was  made  in  dating  the  telegram  in  New 
York,  and  that  Mr.  White  was  asked  to  come  on  a  day 
sooner  than  was  intended ;  and  that  telegrams  sent 
subsequently  failed  to  reach  him.  This  mistake  was 
exceedingly  mortifying,  especially  as  Dr.  Taylor  had 
spared  no  pains  to  provide  an  audience,  not  only  of 
the  citizens  of  Binghamton,  but  also  from  the  sur- 
rounding towns.  No  one  was  censurable,  only  so  far 
as  it  is  blameworthy  to  give  a  wrong  date. 

"  On  reaching  New  York  it  was  late  at  night,  and 
no  accommodations  had  been  secured.  Some  one  told 
Mr.  White  that  up  Chambers  Street  he  would  find  the 
Cosmopolitan  Hotel,  and  he  marched  his  company 
directly  there  and  asked  for  lodgings.  These  were 
given  them  without  demur ;  but  in  the  morning  he 
was  told  that  his  Singers  could  not  take  breakfast  in 
the  dining-room,  and  double  price  must  be  paid  if  meals 
were  taken  to  rooms.     Mr.  'White  called  the  proprietor, 


Oberlin  to  New  York 


105 


and  after  explaining  Ins  mission,  that  gentleman  allowed 
the  company  to  enter  the  dining-room ;  and  when  tlie 
bill  was  settled,  made  a  handsome  deduction  fiom  the 
prices  usually  charged. 

i%  The  long-expected  haven  was  now  reached,  and 
the  Jubilee  Singers  believed  a  brighter  future  awaited 
them.  To  be  sure  they  were  never  so  heavily  in  debt, 
or  so  far  from  home  ;  but  they  were  at  the  head-quarters 
of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  which  had 
established  so  many  schools  and  churches  for  their 
race,  and  winch  would  surely  give  them  a  welcome, 
and  use  its  vast  influence  to  insure  them  success.'  As 
no  good  hotel  accommodations  were  to  be  had  at 
reasonable  rates,  three  of  the  officers  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  who  lived  in  houses  joining 
each  other  in  Brooklyn,  took  them  into  their  families, 
where  they  found  rest  and  a  home  during  the  time 
spent  in  New  York." 


106  The  Jubilee  Singers 


CHAPTER    VII. 

TURNING    TIDE. — AT    NEW    YORK. 

SO  much  were  the  friends  at  the  doctor's  inter- 
ested in  the  history  of  the  campaign  for  twenty 
thousand  dollars,  that  they  wished  me  to  ho.d  my 
next  meeting  at  the  Town  Hall,  and  afford  all  the 
villagers  opportunity  to  hear  half  a  dozen  songs,  and 
as  much  of  the  narrative  as  I  might  be  pleased  to  give 
in  an  evening.  To  this  I  gladly  consented,  as  but 
little  of  public  interest  broke  the  monotony  of  the 
quiet  summer  we  were  spending.  And,  again,  I 
believed  that  by  imparting  a  wholesome  pleasure  to 
the  people,  we  should  be  imitating  Him  who  is  plan- 
ning eternal  pleasures  for  those  who  love  Him. 

The  meeting,  as  might  be  supposed,  was  a  species 
of  concert.  We  had  two  opening  songs,  and  when 
I  spoke  of  some  concert  in  the  narrative,  at  which 
a  particular  piece  was  especially  popular,  I  would 
ask  the  students  to  sing  it.  I  had  been  asked  previ- 
ously to  explain  why  a  better  attendance  at  concerts 
was  secured  after  reaching  New  York  than  before, 
when    circumstances   did    not  promise   it;    and   so   I 


Turning  Tide.  107 

commenced    by   giving    an    explanation    of    my   own 
opinion  regarding  this  question. 

John  B.  Gough  is  said  by  some  critics  to  owe  his 
wonderful  success  largely  to  the  fact  that  he  is  an 
M  Evangelical  comedian/'  and  people  who  dare  not 
patronize  the  theatre,  and  do  not  know  what  acting 
is,  go  and  laugh  safely  at  his  lectures.  Although 
this  criticism  is  unjust,  it  suggests  to  me  that  there 
may  be  such  a  thing  as  supplying  a  wholesome  de- 
mand for  entertainment  to  a  class  of  persons  who 
have  too  much  principle  or  taste  to  accept  the  pop- 
ular entertainments  that  come  within  reach.  When 
any  desirable,  enjoyable,  and  profitable  concert,  lec- 
ture, or  amusement  presents  itself,  it  is  only  ne- 
cessary to  convince  the  better  class  of  people  that 
the  performance  is  praiseworthy  and  entertaining,  and 
that  it  is  altogether  respectable,  to  assure  a  large 
attendance.  Good  people  understood  full  well  that 
the  singing  of  the  Fisk  students  was  sufficiently  en- 
joyable before  they  reached  New  York ;  but  did 
the  large  class  of  Christians,  who  would  scarcely  pat- 
ronize negro  concerts,  deem  it  respectable  to  attend 
those  of  the  Jubilee  Singers?  Was  there  not  so 
much  odium  attached  to  negro  concerts,  as  repre- 
sented in  bui'Dt  cork  minstrels,  that  people  of  taste 
and  character  did  not  think  it  becoming  to  rush  in 
crowds  to  a  paid  concert  given  by  negroes  ?  And 
again,  may  there  not  have  been  a  prejudice  that   led 


108  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

people  to  be  uncertain  whether  or  not  they  were  in 
their  senses  if  they  found  themselves  ready  to  pay 
liberally  to  hear  a  few  songs  from  a  class  of  poorly 
clad  untutored  colored  students?  The  fact  that 
immense  crowds  flocked  to  hear  them  when  they 
appeared  at  a  prayer  meeting  or  Sunday  service, 
where  a  person  could  attend  a  religious  meeting  and 
not  a  negro  concert,  leads  me  to  tins  conclusion.  The 
first  thing  done  after  the  arrival  of  the  Singers  at 
New  York  was  to  make  it  popular  to  attend  their 
concerts.  In  stating  how  this  was  done,  I  shall 
deviate  from  my  former  method,  and  follow  the  order 
of  interesting  events. 

A  few  days  before  their  arrival,  Rev.  George  Whip- 
ple, Senior  Secretary  of  the  American  Missionary 
Association,  called  on  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  and 
proposed  that  he  should  allow  the  students  to  appear 
at  his  Friday  evening  prayer  meeting,  and  render  a 
few  of  their  peculiar  slave  songs.  Mr.  Beecher  had 
previously  heard  of  them  through  his  brother,  who 
had  written  from  Elmira,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Anderson, 
of  Jamestown.  He  was  ready,  therefore,  to  accept 
the  assurance  of  Mr.  Whipple  that  their  singing  would 
be  acceptable,  and  to  promise  them  a  welcome.  On 
the  evening  of  their  arrival  in  Brooklyn  the  Sing- 
ers made  their  appearance  at  the  prayer  meeting, 
occupying  seats  near  the  platform.  After  the  reg- 
ular  service,   Mr.   Beecher   announced    that    he    had 


At   New  York.  109 

a  rare  treat  for  his  people  and  introduced  the  Jubilee 
Singers. 

I  remember  well  their  appearance  on  this  occasion, 
as  it  was  the  first  time  I  had  heard  them.  A  motley 
group  !  The  girls,  dressed  in  water-proofs,  and  clothed 
about  the  neck  with  long  woollen  comforters  to  pro- 
tect their  throats,  stood  in  a  row  in  front.  The 
young  men  occupied  positions  closely  in  the  rear, 
the  class  standing  solid,  as  they  term  it,  in  order 
to  secure  the  most  perfect  harmony.  Mr.  White 
remarked  that  the  students  were  cast  down  by  the 
news  of  the  approaching  death  of  Miss  Phebe  Ander- 
son's father,  and  her  departure  that  day  for  home. 
(Miss  Anderson  was  the  daughter  of  a  colored  preacher, 
and  had  been  with  the  students  through  all  their  trials.) 
The  first  hymn  they  sang  was,  "  0,  how  I  love  Jesus!" 
and  I  shall  never  forget  the  rich  tones  of  the  young 
men  as  they  mingled  their  voices  in  a  melody  so  beau- 
tiful and  touching  I  scarcely  knew  whether  I  was 
"  in  the  body  or  out  of  the  body."  So  abiding  was 
the  impression  it  made  upon  my  mind,  I  could  not 
be  satisfied  for  a  long  time  to  have  them  appear 
in  public  without  giving  the  people  the  benefit  of 
this  hymn.  Slave  songs  followed,  occupying  about 
twenty  minutes,  when  Mr.  White  motioned  to  the 
Singers  to  retire.  As  they  were  descending  from 
the  platform,  Mr.  Beecher  ran  up  and  directed  them 
to  return.     Standing   before    them,    with   pocket-book 


110  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

in  hand,  he  indicated,  with  great  good  humor  and 
di'ollery,  that  a  collection  was  to  be  taken,  after  which 
a  few  more  songs  would  be  sung.  Every  expression 
was  full  of  encouragement,  and  a  generous  contribu- 
tion gathered.  Mr.  Beecher  announced  that  this 
was  but  a  foretaste,  in  hearing  and  in  giving ;  that 
the  students  would  sing  again  in  his  church,  when 
he  wished  his  congregation  to  give  them  a  ben- 
efit. As  Mr.  Beecher's  leture-room  talks  are  re- 
ported in  many  different  papers,  this  occasion  gave 
the  Jubilee  Singers  a  favorable  introduction. 

Not  much  was  attempted  by  the  Singers  for  the 
next  week.  They  were  worn  out  with  work  ;  rest 
and  courage  were  essential,  and  time  was  given  for 
gaining  these. 

The  next  week  they  attended  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tal- 
mage's  prayer  meeting,  where  they  were  welcomed, 
and  aided  by  a  contribution  of  a  hundred  dollars. 
The  same  evening  they  were  at  Dr.  Cuyler's  prayer 
meeting,  and  here  also  they  were  welcomed  and 
aided.  On  the  Sabbath  they  appeared  at  Mr.  Beecher's 
Sabbath  school,  and  were  expected  also  at  Dr.  Tal- 
mage's ;  but  as  there  was  a  misunderstanding  respect- 
ing the  time  of  the  services,  it  seemed  inevitable 
that  one  of  the  schools  must  forego  the  pleasure  of 
hearing  them.  To  avoid  disappointing  Dr.  Talmage's 
Sunday  school  altogether,  Rev.  Mr.  Cravath,  one  of 
the  Secretaries   of  the  American   Missionary  Associa- 


At    New    Yoke.  Ill 

tion,  took  little  Minnie  Tate,  a  beautiful  girl  of 
fourteen,  to  that  school,  and  there,  before  a  company 
probably  numbering  over  a  thousand,  who  had  been 
wearied  by  an  hour's  sitting  already,  this  little  plainly 
clad  colored  girl,  without  support  or  any  one  to  give 
her  the  key-note,  stood  alone  upon  the  platform  and 
sang,  "Flee  as  a  bird  to  your  mountain,"  to  the  in- 
tense delight  of  every  one.  After  the  song  was 
finished,  an  encore,  the  like  of  which  I  feel  sure 
never  before  broke  forth  on  a  Sunday  in  that  school, 
brought  her  forward  again,  and  she  sang  the  second 
time  with  equal  acceptance. 

By  this  time  the  other  Singers  arrived,  and  a  few 
slave  songs  w^ere  given. 

The  trustees  of  Mr.  Beecher's  Church  had  offered 
the  use  of  their  building  for  a  concert,  and  on  the 
following  Wednesday  a  very  respectable  audience 
gathered,  and  the  enthusiasm  was  wild  and  almost 
uncontrollable.  The  people  had  been  urged  very 
pressingly  the  Sabbath  before  by  Mr.  Beecher  to 
give  the  Singers  a  hearty  welcome  and  a  substantial 
benefit,  and  they  seemed  bent  upon  gratifying  him  to 
the  utmost.  The  proceeds  of  tins  concert  were  encour- 
aging. The  papers  overestimated  the  number  present 
in  their  report,  which,  at  least,  gave  outsiders  to  un- 
derstand it  was  an  affair  that  called  out  the  masses. 
The  New  York  Herald,  the  next  morning,  had  a 
column  headed,  "Beecher's  Negro  Ministrels;"  which, 


112  The  Jubilee   Singees. 

while  it  did  not  warmly  commend,  yet  largely  adver- 
tised the  performance.  One  of  the  comic  papers  gave 
a  wood  cut,  purporting  to  represent  "  Beecher's  Negro 
Ministrels,"  as  they  appeared  at  his  church,  which, 
like  the  article  in  the  Herald,  served  to  spread  tidings 
of  them,  without  influencing  good  people  against 
them. 

By  this  time,  many  of  the  members  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  the  American  Missionary  Associa- 
tion believed  that  in  these  Singers  the  Association 
had  a  providential  instrumentality  given  them  to  for- 
ward its  work,  as  potent  as  it  was  unexpected.  Plans 
were,  therefore,  devised  to  bring  them  to  the  favorable 
notice  of  the  different  churches  to  which  they  be- 
longed. Dr.  Henry  M.  Storrs,  of  Brooklyn,  sent 
twenty-five  dollars  to  the  company  as  his  own  dona- 
tion, and  an  opportunity  was  given  them  to  appear 
at  an  annual  gathering  of  his  Sunday  school  in  the 
South  Congregational  Church.  Here  they  met  a 
large  company,  and  an  evening  was  spent  very  pleas- 
antly. At  a  later  date  a  praise  service  was  given 
at  this  church,  on  Sabbath  evening,  attended  by  a 
numerous  congregation,  including  many  well-known 
clergymen.  Among  the  early  friends  of  the  Associ- 
ation, Mr.  Andrew  Lester,  of  the  13th  Street  Pres- 
byterian Church,  New  York,  had  occupied  an  influen- 
tial position  on  the  Executive  Committee.  He  gave 
himself  at  once  to  the  work  of  introducing  the  Jubilee 


At  New  York.  113 

Singers  in  New  York  city,  and  secured  an  invitation 
for  them  to  appear  at  the  Sunday  school  connected 
with  the  church  above  mentioned.  Rev.  Dr.  Bur- 
chard,  his  pastor,  espoused  the  cause  with  all  his 
heart  (which  is  a  very  large  one),  and  after  hearing 
the  students,  the  use  of  the  church  edifice  was  ten- 
dered to  them  for  a  concert.  They  were  heartily 
indorsed  from  the  pulpit  on  the  Sabbath,  and  due 
notice  given  of  their  concert  which  was  to  take  place 
on  Friday.  Neighboring  clergymen  were  invited  to 
be  present,  and  notwithstanding  the  evening  was 
exceedingly  stormy,  a  large  attendance  of  some  of  the 
first  people  in  the  city  filled  the  house.  The  satis- 
faction given  was  universal.  The  free  use  of  sever- 
al of  the  leading  churches  in  the  city  was  offered. 
Rev.  S.  S.  Jocelyn,  a  former  Secretary  of  the  Amer- 
ican Missionary  Association,  and  interested  in  its  work 
for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  made  known 
to  his  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Brodt,  of  the  New  England 
Congregational  Church  in  Williamsburg,  that  he  should 
be  gratified  to  have  the  Jubilee  Singers  appear  at  their 
church.  Accordingly  a  praise  meeting  was  appoint- 
ed, and  every  effort  put  forth  to  commend  them  and 
their  enterprise  to  the  people.  Newspapers  were 
lavish  in  praises,  and  the  officers  of  the  church  gave 
the  use  of  their  meeting-house  for  several  concerts, 
and  aided,  to  the  extent  of  their  ability,  in  securing 
a  success  that  was  most  encouraging. 
8 


114  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

Rev.  G.  B.  Willcox,  pastor  of  the  Tabernacle  Church 
ill  Jersey  City,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  American  Missionary  Association, 
welcomed  the  Singers,  first  to  a  prayer  meeting,  and 
again  to  his  church,  where  such  a  company  awaited 
their  coming  as  had  never  been  seen  by  them  at  a 
paid  concert  before.  There  was  scarcely  space  left 
where  a  person  could  hang  on,  so  great  was  the  pres- 
sure of  the  multitude.  The  receipts  of  this  concert 
amounted  to  nearly  seven  hundred  and  forty  dollars. 
A  second  concert  was  given  at  this  place  with  much 
success  and  credit  to  the  members  of  that  church,  who 
worked  up  the  concerts  with  untiring  energy. 

Rev.  Wm.  B.  Brown,  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  who  had 
listened  to  their  singing  at  Nashville,  when  on  a 
tour  of  inspection  at  the  South,  as  an  officer  of  the 
American  Missionary  Association,  arranged  for  them 
■to  appear  at  his  church,  soon  after  they  arrived  at 
Brooklyn.  The  welcome  they  received  at  Newark 
■was  very  flattering,  and  the  concert  reflected  great 
eredit  upon  the  Singers,  and  gave  much  satisfaction  to 
Mr.  Brown  and  his  friends,  who  had  spared  no  pains 
in  commending  them  to  the   public. 

Rev.  R.  G.  Hutchins,  a  born  abolitionist,  from  Con- 
necticut, and  pastor  of  the  Bedford  Church,  Brooklyn, 
welcomed  them,  on  two  occasions,  to  his  church,  and 
sent  them  away  rejoicing,  enriched  in  courage  and 
in  purse. 


At  New   York.  115 

Rev.  Dr.  II.  M.  Scudder  urged  them  to  appear  at 
his  church,  where  they  sang  with  much  acceptance. 
Dr.  Budington  and  his  Sunday  school  arranged  a  con- 
cert for  them  at  the  Clinton  Avenue  Congregational 
Church,  Brooklyn.  Mr.  T.  F.  Seward,  editor  of  the 
New  York  Musical  Gazette,  had  them  at  Rev.  Dr. 
Mix's  Church,  Orange,  N.  J.,  for  a  concert.  And 
you  will  allow  me  to  mention  last,  but  not  because 
of  less  significance,  the  indorsement  of  Hon.  Edgar 
Ketchmn,  an  eminent  New  York  lawyer,  and  Treas- 
urer of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  who 
invited  them  to  Harlem,  arranged  a  concert  for  them, 
and  gave  his  influence  and  name  to  make  the  affair 
successful  and  popular. 

The  indorsement  and  co-operation  of  men  and  church- 
es like  these  I  have  mentioned,  together  with  those  of 
many  others  I  must  omit,  settled  it  in  the  minds  of 
all  good  people  that  at  least  it  was  respectable  to 
patronize  concerts  given  by  the  Jubilee  Singers.  After 
Mr.  Beecher,  Dr.  Cuyler,  Dr.  Storrs,  Dr.  Scudder, 
Dr.  Budington,  of  Brooklyn,  and  the  other  brethren 
mentioned  in  New  York,  Connecticut,  and  its  vicini- 
ty, had  said  the  Singers'  performances  were  praise- 
worthy and  delightful,  and  that  it  was  becoming  to 
attend  them,  there  was  little  room  left  for  one  to 
hesitate  about  the  propriety  of  such  attendance. 

The  time  covered  by  the  events  just  narrated 
reached  from  the  middle  of  December  to  the  last  of 


116  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

January.  In  the  mean  time  several  events  tran- 
spired that  aided  largely  in  future  work.  Rev.  Henry 
Ward  Beecher  wrote  to  Mr.  Redpath,  chief  of  Boston 
Lyceum  Bureau,  commending  the  singers  in  high 
terms,  using  the  following  language  :  "  They  will 
charm  any  audience  sure  ;  they  make  their  mark  by 
giving  the  spirituals  and  plantation  hymns  as  only 
they  can  sing  them  who  know  how  to  keep  time  to 
a  master's  whip.  Our  people  have  been  delighted." 
Mr.  Beecher  believed  that  if  Mr.  Redpath  would 
secure  appointments  for  them  to  sing  before  lyceums, 
a  handsome  income  for  Fisk  University  might  be  re- 
alized ;  and  he  was  doubtless  correct.  The  Metho- 
dists of  Boston  and  vicinity  held  a  grand  reunion 
at  Music  Hall  in  January,  and  Mr.  Redpath  arranged 
to  have  the  Jubilee  Singers  present.  Mr.  Beecher, 
while  giving  a  lecture  in  Boston,  just  preceding  the 
reunion,  took  occasion,  at  Mr.  Redpath's  suggestion, 
to  advise  all  good  people  to  attend  ;  assuring  them 
that  they  would  avail  themselves  of  a  very  rare 
opportunity  to  hear  a  style  of  music  rapidly  passing 
away.  His  remarks  were  published  extensively  by 
Mr.  Redpath,  as  an  advertisement,  in  the  Boston 
papers. 

At  Music  Hall  the  students  delighted  the  thousands 
who  were  present,  and  among  very  many  favorable 
notices  of  them  was  one  by  John  Henry,  in  the  Con- 
gregationalist,  who,  in  his  vivacious  letter  to  his  grand- 


At   New  York.  117 

mother,  said,  "  Do  you  be  sure  to  go  and  hear  thein, 
no  matter  what  the  weather  is.  You'll  be  sorry  for- 
ever if  you  don't." 

Dr.  Theodore  L.  Civyler,  of  Brooklyn,  as  I  have 
already  mentioned,  had  heard  them  at  his  prayer 
meeting.  Some  weeks  afterwards  a  concert  was  ar- 
ranged for  the  Jubilee  Singers  at  the  Lafayette  Ave- 
nue Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  the  pastor. 
The  following  letter,  winch  he  sent  to  the  New  York 
Tribune,  had  great  influence  throughout  the  country, 
the  whole  or  a  part  of  it  being  copied  in  very  many 
of  the  papers  :  — 

"  To  the  Editor  of  the  Tribune.  Sir :  When 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Chalmers  (the  younger)  visited  this 
country,  as  the  delegate  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian 
General  Assembly,  he  went  home  and  reported  to  his 
countrymen  that  he  '  had  found  the  ideal  church  in 
America.  It  was  made  up  of  Methodist  praying, 
Presbyterian  preaching,  and  southern  Negro  singing.' 
The  Scotchman  would  have  been  confirmed  in  his 
opinion  if  he  had  been  in  Lafayette  Avenue  Church 
last  night,  and  heard  the  Jubilee  Singers,  —  a  com- 
pany of  colored  students,  male  and  female,  from 
Fisk  University  of  Freedmen,  in  Tennessee.  In  Mr. 
Beeeher's  Church  they  have  delighted  a  vast  throng 
of  auditors,  and  another  equally  packed  audience 
greeted  them  last  evening.     I  never  saw  a  cultivated 


118  The   Jubilee  Singers. 

Brooklyn  assemblage  so  moved  and  melted  under  the 
magnetism  of  music  before.  The  wild  melodies  of 
these  emancipated  slaves  touched  the  fount  of  tears, 
and  gray-haired  men  wept  like  little  children. 

"  In  the  programme  last  evening  were  not  only  the 
well-known  slave  songs,  '  Go  down,  Moses,'  4  Roll, 
Jordan,  roll,'  and  '  Turn  back  Pharaoh's  Army,'  but 
a  fresh  collection  of  the  most  weird  and  plaintive 
hymns  sung  in  the  plantation  cabins  in  the  dark  days 
of  bondage.  One  young  negress,  exceeding  'black, 
yet  comely,'  sang  a  wild,  yet  most  delicious  melody, 
— 4  I'll  hear  de  trumpet  sound  in  de  mornin','  — 
which  was  the  very  embodiment  of  African  heart 
music.  Listening  to  their  rich,  plaintive  voices,  one 
might  imagine  himself  in  the  veritable  Uncle  Tom's 
cabin  of  the  '  old  dispensation.'  The  harmony  of 
these  children  of  nature,  and  their  musical  execution, 
were  beyond  the  reach  of  art.  Their  wonderful  skill 
was  put  to  the  severest  test  when  they  attempted 
4  Home,  sweet  Home,'  before  auditors  who  had  heard 
those  same  household  words  from  the  lips  of  Jenny 
Lind  and  Parepa.  Yet  these  emancipated  bond- 
women —  now  that  they  know  what  the  word  Home 
signifies  —  rendered  that  dear  old  song  with  a  pow- 
er and  pathos  never  surpassed.  Allow  me  to  be- 
speak, through  your  journal,  —  which  I  have  read 
every  day  since  the  morning  of  its  birth  in  1841,  — 
a   universal   welcome    through   the   North    for    these 


At    New    York.  119 

living  representatives  of  the  only  true,  native  school 
of  American  music.  "We  have  long  enough  had  its 
$e  caricature  in  corked  faces  :  our  people  can 
now  listen  to  the  genuine  soul  music  of  the  slave 
cabins,  before  the  Lord  led  his  ■  children  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage.' 

"  Yours,  cordially, 

"  Theo.  L.  Cutler. 

44  Lafayette   Avexee  Church, 


Brooklyn,  January 


HCRCH,        } 

17,  1S72."  5 


The  value  of  this  letter  may  be  understood  more 
fully,  when  it  is  remembered  that  up  to  this  time 
the  musical  critics  in  the  leading  New  York  dailies 
had  not  taken  much  notice  of  the  Jubilee  Singers ; 
and  the  meagre  mention  that  was  made  of  them  was 
worth  nothing  to  the  enterprise. 

While  these  events  were  transpiring,  many  persons 
from  New  England  were  visiting  their  friends  at  New 
York,  and  New  York  people  were  writing  all  over 
the  country  ;  by  this  means  a  knowledge  of  the  Sing- 
ers spread  far  and  wide.  As  no  one  ever  attended 
one  of  their  concerts,  to  my  knowledge,  without  be- 
coming a  friend,  and  wishing  his  acquaintances  should 
enjoy  the  pleasure  of  hearing  them  also,  every  day 
added  to  the  host  of  admirers  who  paid  homage  to 
the  brave  band  who  had  attempted  so  noble  a  work 
as   that  of  endowing  their  own  University. 


120  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

During  their  stay  of  about  six  weeks  at  New  York, 
the  young  men  and  Mr.  G.  Stanley  Pope,  their  agent, 
with  his  wife,  had  lodged  at  my  house  in  Brooklyn ; 
and  I  had  observed  their  movements  with  interest, 
and  often  advised  with  Mr.  Pope,  and  accompanied 
the  singers  on  their  missions.  Having  a  large  ac- 
quaintance in  Connecticut,  as  it  -was  a  part  of  my 
collecting  field,  as  District  Secretary  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  I  volunteered  my  services  for 
a  campaign  of  three  or  four  weeks  in  that  state  with 
the  Singers.  By  this  time  the  enterprise  was  nearly  free 
from  debt,  well  indorsed,  in  good  working  condition, 
and  I  had  high  hopes  that  we  might  save  at  least 
five  hundred  dollars  per  week  above  our  expenses. 

It  was  believed  that  so  much  public  attention  as 
was  bestowed  upon  Master  Georgie  "Wells  was  inju- 
rious not  only  to  him  but  to  his  associates.  As  the 
fine  school  that  had  been  established  at  Athens,  Ala., 
by  Miss  Wells,  was  suffering  from  her  absence,  it  was 
thought  that  duty  demanded  she  should  return  with 
Georgie  to  her  work  at  Athens. 

The  company  was  therefore  reorganized,  and  Mrs. 
Pope  made  governess  for  the  Connecticut  campaign, 
of  which  I  shall  speak  at  our  next  meeting,  one 
week  from  to-night. 


From  Hartford  to  Boston.         121 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

FROM  HARTFORD  TO  BOSTON. 

WHEN  the  appointed  time  for  our  next  meeting 
at  the  Town  Hall  came,  I  had  prepared  myself 
to  mention  a  different  class  of  circumstances  from  those 
I  had  narrated ;  thinking  thereby  to  increase  the  in- 
terest of  the  gathering.  Mr.  White,  meanwhile,  had 
been  preparing  his  class  to  sing  several  new  and  rare 
slave  songs  ;  and  with  a  number  of  these  interspersed 
during  the  evening,  I  was  quite  sure-  the  exercises 
would  not  be  tedious. 

"  The  campaign  from  Hartford  to  Boston,"  I  said, 
"  included  work  done  in  Connecticut,  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  and  "Washington. 

"  We  visited  Hartford  first,  for  the  reason  that  I  was 
acquainted  with  the  leading  clergymen  and  members 
of  the  press  in  that  city.  The  clergymen  would  surely 
oblige  me  by  their  co-operation,  and  the  press  were 
kindly  disposed  towards  our  enterprise,  and  would 
favor  us  with  the  best  notices. 

"  Rev.    E.    P.    Parker   arranged  to   have  us  hold  a 


122  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

praise  meeting  at  his  church  on  Sunday  evening,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Twitchell,  of  the  Asylum  Hill  Congregational 
church  invited  us  to  appear  at  his  monthly  Sunday 
school  gathering  in  the  afternoon. 

"  Mr.  Parker  published  a  very  kind  and  judicious 
notice  of  our  coming  in  Saturday's  paper.  The  gov- 
enor  of  the  state,  and  many  leading  men  were  present 
at  the  Sunday  school  gathering,  when  Rev.  Dr.  Bur- 
ton made  a  most  earnest  appeal  in  behalf  of  the 
enterprise.  In  the  evening  an  immense  throng  assem- 
bled long  before  the  time  for  services,  and  the  students 
were  most  cordially  welcomed.  Liberal  contributions 
were  given.  Next  morning,  the  papers  were  full 
of  commendations,  written  by  able  and  enthusiastic 
editors.  On  Tuesday  evening  a  concert  was  given 
in  Allyn  Hall,  the  gross  receipts  of  which  were 
over  six  hundred  dollars.  This  success  was  men- 
tioned with  much  pleasure  by  all  the  city  papers. 
Every  one,  apparently,  wished  to  serve  the  enterprise, 
and  many  prominent  men  gave  their  services  in  making 
the  stay  of  the  Singers  pleasant  and  successful.  A 
matinee  was  given  on  Saturday  afternoon,  where,  al- 
though a  violent  snow  storm  was  raging,  at  least  eight 
hundred  people  were  in  attendance.  During  this 
week  concerts  were  also  given  at  Farmington,  Plain- 
ville,  Rockville,  New  Britain,  and  Bristol.  At  the  latter 
place  gentlemen  promised  to  give  Fisk  University  a 
supply   of  clocks   on   the  completion  of  Jubilee  Hall. 


From  Hartford  to  Boston.         123 

At  New  Britain  some  valuable  presents  were  given 
to  the  students  by  the  iEtna  Manufacturing  Company. 

"  Rev.  W.  L.  Gay  lord,  of  Meriden,  who  had  met 
the  Singers  at  the  Oberlin  Council,  had  from  that 
time  determined  to  give  them  a  grand  ovation  on  their 
arrival  in  his  city.  He  wrote  articles  for  the  local 
papers,  and  published  extracts  from  the  testimony 
of  eminent  persons  who  had  heard  them,  and  thus 
aroused  the  people  to  no  common  pitch  of  enthusiasm. 
It  was  his  purpose  to  entertain  the  company  in  the 
families  of  his  parish ;  but,  as  the  Singers  were  very 
tired,  at  my  express  request  he  allowed  them  to  lodge 
at  the  hotel,  where  they  would  feel  a  greater  freedom 
for  rest. 

"  Sabbath  services  at  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  also  at  a  Union  Temperance  meeting  in  the  hall, 
were  participated  in  by  the  vast  multitude  of  people 
who  crowded  to  hear  them.  On  Monday  evening  a 
concert  was  given  in  the  Congregational  Church,  at 
which  Mr.  Gaylord  alluded  to  the  fact  that  the  Singers 
were  ex-slaves,  and  on  a  remarkable  mission  —  that  of 
building  Jubilee  Hall  at  Nashville. 

"  A  generous  manufacturer  at  Bristol  had  offered  to 
supply  this  hall  with  clocks.  This  was  commendable  ; 
but  the  Meriden  people  were  not  to  be  outdone  by 
clock-makers.  The  Meriden  Britannia  Company,  he 
continued,  wished  him  to  ask  the  students  to  come  to 
their  factory,  and  take   as  much   silver   ware  as  was 


124  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

needed  for  the  boarding  department  of  Fisk  Uni- 
versity ;  Bradley  and  Hubbard  wished  them  to  accept 
a  supply  of  gas  fixtures ;  Parker  Brothers,  any  wares 
they  might  find  at  their  factory  suitable  for  their  use  ; 
and  Mr.  Eli  Butler,  president  of  a  bank,  though  he 
could  not  ask  them  to  take  as  much  as  they  wished 
from  his  bank,  yet,  if  they  would  call,  would  present 
them  with  one  hundred  dollars.  Other  parties  gave 
presents  of  value,  and  bestowed  favors  that  were  very 
grateful.  It  was  desired  that  we  give  still  another 
concert,  and  the  trustees  of  the  Methodist  Church 
offered  the  free  use  of  their  beautiful  meeting-house  for 
the  purpose.  The  second  concert,  as  the  first  had  been, 
was  a  grand  success. 

"  This  week  Deacon  Charles  Benedict  had  arranged 
a  concert  for  us  at  Waterbury,  where  we  found  a  full 
house  on  our  arrival.  So  much  interest  was  manifest- 
ed, we  were  urged  to  give  a  matinee  on  Saturday,  with 
the  promise  that  special  trains  should  be  run  to  bring 
in  people  from  the  adjoining  towns.  George  W.  Beach, 
the  Superintendent  of  the  Naugatuck  Railroad,  followed 
the  example  of  the  President  of  the  New  Haven, 
Hartford,  and  Springfield  Railroad,  and  gave  us  half 
fare.  The  matinee  was  successful,  and  two  hundred 
dollars  was  given  by  two  gentlemen  present  for  the 
University. 

"  On  Thursday  we  filled  an  appointment  at  West 
Winsted,  at  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  where 


From  Hartford  to  Boston.         125 

R.  E.  Holmes,  Esq.,  President  of  Hurlburt  National 
Bank,  had  spared  no  pains  in  providing  ns  an  audience. 
The  meeting-house  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity. 
A  special  train  came  over  from  New  York  State  to 
accommodate  people  on  the  line  of  the  road  ;  and  as 
this  was  the  first  time  a  special  train  was  run  to  our 
concerts,  we  esteemed  it  a  great  compliment. 

"  At  this  concert  I  mentioned  what  had  been 
promised  us  at  Meriden,  and  suggested  that  we 
should  need  a  Winsted  memorial  bell  for  Jubilee  Hall. 
The  good  people  appreciated  the  suggestion;  and  at 
Mr.  Holmes's  bank,  the  Strong  Brothers,  Mr.  Whiting, 
and  Mr.  Holmes,  in  behalf  of  their  Liberal  citizens, 
promised  us  the  bell. 

"  As  we  were  to  spend  the  Sabbath  at  New  Haven, 
we  planned  to  pass  Friday  evening  at  Birmingham, 
where  Deacon  George  W.  Shelton,  the  founder,  as 
well  as  the  secretary  of  the  4  Systematic  Beneficent 
Society,'  had  made  ready  for  us.  At  this  concert  the 
Singers  were  introduced  to  Mr.  George  G.  Shelton, 
who,  since  then,  has  served  them  so  efficiently  as 
Advance  Agent.  It  was  proposed  at  this  place  to 
supply  a  room  in  Jubilee  Hall,  to  be  named  the  Bir- 
mingham Recitation  Room  ;  and  several  gentlemen  sub- 
scribed fifty  dollars  each  for  that  purpose.  Two  of 
the  principal  hotels  at  New  Haven,  on  application  of 
Mr.  Pope,  declined  to  entertain  the  Singers  on  account 
of  their   color.      The   newspapers   published    the    in- 


126  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

dignity,  and  Rev.  E.  L.  Clark,  pastor  of  the  North 
Church,  determined  that  the  proprietors  of  these 
hotels  should  understand  that  the  good  people  of 
his  city  did  not  sympathize  with  their  foolish 
prejudices.  He  therefore  provided  entertainment  for 
us  all  in  some  of  the  first  families  in  the  city,  where 
we  were  made  welcome.  The  students  by  this  act  were 
afforded  opportunity  to  enjoy  the  rare  collections  of 
art  that  fill  almost  every  niche  in  Mr.  Clark's  beautiful 
residence.  They  also  visited,  with  Professor  Ives, 
Deacon  North,  and  Mr.  Clark,  many  places  of  inter- 
est and  profit.  On  the  Sabbath,  they  sang  on  three 
occasions.  I  introduced  here,  for  the  first  time,  what 
we  have  since  called  our  Missionary  Association  Meet- 
ings, at  which  the  Singers  conduct  the  service  of 
song,  while  I,  in  company  with  one  or  two  others, 
if  volunteers  are  found,  occupy  the  remaining  time 
in  speaking  of  the  Freedmen's  work  at  the  South. 
This  plan  is  pursued,  not  because  it  is  of  more 
interest  than  a  praise  meeting,  but  because  people 
may  hear  excellent  singing  till  the  world's  end,  and 
know  nothing  of  missions,  or  the  wants  of  the  per- 
ishing in  consequence.  We  were  out  to  promote 
the  cause  of  Missions,  not  like  an  organ-grinder,  to 
gain  a  livelihood.  The  enthusiasm  respecting  the 
Jubilee  Singers  never  ran  so  high  to  my  knowledge 
as  at  New  Haven.  On  Sabbath  evening  we  were 
almost  obliged  to  march  on  the  heads  of  the  people 


From  Hartford  to  Boston.        127 

to  reach  the  pulpit ;  arid  so  deep  was  the  interest, 
that  persons  who  entered  the  church  long  before  time 
for  service,  remained  standing  till  the  last  song  was 
sung.  Our  concert  for  New  Haven  was  announced 
to  take  place  on  Thursday  evening.  Henry  Ward 
Beecher  was  also  to  deliver  a  lecture  at  College 
Street  Church  the  same  nicrht,  and  tickets  were  adver- 
tised  for  sale  throughout  the  city.  The  tickets  were 
not  in  demand;  and  the  papers  announced  that  Mr. 
Beecher* s  lecture  would  be  deferred  on  account  of  the 
Jubilee  Singers'  concert ;  and,  probably,  no  one  was 
more  delighted  than  Mr.  Beecher,  to  see  that  a  day 
had  come  when  colored  students  in  New  Haven  could 
rival  the  foremost  lecturer  and  preacher  in  the  land 
in  calling  out  an  audience.  Every  desirable  seat  in 
Music  Hall  was  taken  by  Tuesday,  and  on  the  night 
of  the  concert,  it  was  found  that  twelve  hundred  and 
nine  dollars  had  been  realized  by  the  sale  of  tickets. 
Mr.  Beecher  attended  the  concert  in  company  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  and,  during  the  evening,  both  of  these 
gentlemen  made  felicitous  speeches,  which  called  out 
contributions  in  money  and  valuables  for  Fisk  Uni- 
versity, worth  at  least  five  hundred  dollars.  It  should 
be  mentioned  in  this  connection,  that  a  good  woman 
sent  in  a  valuable  gold  bracelet,  which  was  almost  the 
last  remembrance  she  possessed  of  better  days  (if  those 
days  be  better,  when  we  have  a  heart  to  possess  and 
enjoy,  rather  than  to  give  and  enjoy),  desiring  that  it 


128  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

be  sold,  and  the  proceeds  given  to  the  students'  enter- 
prise. If  the  presents  that  were  given  are  included, 
the  income  of  this  concert  was  greater  by  far  than 
any  other  ever  given  by  the  Jubilee  Singers. 

"  On  Monday  evening  of  this  week  we  were  wel- 
comed at  Milford,  and  on  Tuesday  we  gave  a  concert 
in  the  afternoon  at  Deacon  Stevens's  Hall,  in  Cromwell, 
where  a  purse  was  made  up  by  the  citizens,  and  pre- 
sented to  the  University.  In  the  evening,  McDonald 
Hall,  at  Middletown,  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity 
to  give  us  welcome.  Governor  Douglass's  firm  sent 
us  their  catalogue,  inviting  us  to  accept  for  Fisk 
University  such  wares  as  we  might  select  from  their 
list  of  goods.  Jesse  Baldwin,  Esq.,  who  had  arranged 
for  our  entertainment,  made  personal  presents  to  the 
students.  During  these  days  there  was  a  passion  in 
the  state  to  make  us  presents,  and  so  numerous  were 
they,  I  must  omit  many  of  them.  We  were  told,  on 
reaching  Bridgeport,  that  there  had  never  been  so 
great  a  sale  of  reserved  seats  in  the  city  as  had  tran- 
spired that  week  in  anticipation  of  our  concert.  The 
beautiful  Opera  House  was  full,  and  everything  done 
to  make  our  visit  pleasant.  We  were  entertained  at 
the  Sterling  House,  and  assigned  rooms  suitable  for 
kings  and  princes.  The  students  were  admitted  to  the 
dining-room  at  the  usual  hours  for  meals ;  and  I  well 
remember,  when  I  asked  the  proprietor  if  his  boarders 


From   Hartford   To    Boston.        129 

complained,  he  answered  very  squarely,  '  I  keep  this 
hotel,  sir.' 

"  Hon.  Henry  P.  Haven,  of  New  London,  was  in 
readiness  for  us  Friday,  on  our  arrival,  and  the  church 
prayer  meeting  was  dismissed  at  an  earlier  hour  than 
usual,  to  allow  the  people  to  attend  our  concert.  A 
matinee  for  Saturday  afternoon  was  announced.  Al- 
though the  enthusiasm  was  not  so  great  at  New  Lon- 
don as  we  had  found  it  in  other  parts  of  the  state, 
yet  the  concerts  were  a  success  in  every  respect. 

"Our  last  engagement  in  the  state  was  at  Norwich, 
This  city  had  distinguished  itself  by  its  very  liberal 
contributions  to  the  American  Missionary  Association, 
—  two  of  its  churches  giving  more  than  one  thousand 
dollars  each,  in  yearly  donations.  We  had  planned 
to  hold  two  missionary  meetings  on  the  Sabbath, — 
one  at  the  Broadway  Church,  and  one  at  the  Second 
Congregational.  These  meetings  were  full  of  interest. 
Mr.  E.  A.  Ware,  President  of  Atlanta  University,  and 
formerly  a  member  of  the  Broadway  Church,  added 
much  to  the  occasion  by  an  able  appeal  in  the  evening. 
The  collection  given  at  Rev.  M.  G.  Dana's,  Second 
Congregational  Church,  was  the  largest  ever  received 
by  the  Jubilee  Singers  at  a  Sunday  service.  During 
Monday  we  received  many  tokens  of  interest  from 
the  long-tried  friends  of  our  southern  work.  In  the 
evening  our  concert  was  every  way  satisfactory.  At 
9 


130  The   Jubilee   Singees. 

its  close  we  took  the  steamboat  train  for  New  York, 
and  bade  adieu  to  a  state  that  had  given  us  a  continual 
ovation.  The  gross  income  of  the  last  seven  days 
amounted  to  more  than  three  thousand  nine  hundred 
dollars,  —  the  greatest  amount  ever  realized  by  the 
Singers  in  a  single  week.  We  had  been  borne  onward 
by  the  applause  and  best  wishes  of  the  people.  The 
speed  and  furor  experienced  was  such  as  I  imagine 
one  would  feel  if  riding  on  a  comet. 

"  For  the  purpose  of  securing  thirty-six  hours'  rest 
before  filling  an  engagement,  Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  of 
Newark,  N.  J.,  had  perfected  for  Wednesday  night, 
I  telegraphed  to  the  proprietor  of  the  Continental 
Hotel,  where  Mr.  Pope  had  engaged  board,  that  we 
should  arrive  on  Tuesday.  Mr.  White  and  the  Sing- 
ers reached  the  hotel  at  about  ten  in  the  morning; 
after  some  delay  rooms  were  assigned,  and  the  stu- 
dents, who  had  been  riding  through  the  night,  re- 
tired for  a  season  of  rest.  The  New  York  Inde- 
pendent describes  the  occurrence  in  the  following 
pointed  style  :  '  After  returning  from  Connecticut, 
where  they  had  been  the  guests  of  a  governor,  they 
went  to  Newark,  N.  J.,  where  a  tavern-keeper  turned 
them  out  of  his  hostelry.  He  had  supposed,  when 
lodging  was  engaged  for  them,  that  they  were  a  com- 
pany of  nigger  (not  negro)  minstrels  ;  and  when  he 
discovered  that  they  were  the  genuine  article,  and  not 


From   Hartford   to   Boston.       131 

the  imitation,  lie  promptly  drove  them  into  the  street. 
The  burnt  cork  of  the  harlequin  is  to  this  astute  re- 
publican a  much  more  respectable  pigment  than  that 
with  which  the  Creator  touches  the  work  of  his  own 
hand.'  Perhaps  no  weary  pilgrims  were  ever  more 
mortified  and  insulted.  Their  nervous  energies  were 
well  nigh  exhausted  ;  their  great  popularity  had 
brought  a  tax  upon  their  strength  never  levied  before  ; 
and  the  brief  hours  they  had  reserved  for  recupera- 
tion were  broken  by  abuse,  hate,  and  renewed  anxi- 
eties. What  should  they  do?  I  had  returned  to 
my  home  in  Brooklyn,  and  to  my  astonishment  saw 
the  students  coming  up  the  street  early  in  the  after- 
noon. They  were  immediately  assigned  to  their  old 
quarters,  where  they  lodged  during  their  stay  in  the 
vicinity.  On  Wednesday,  a  large  number  of  people 
gathered  to  hear  them  at  Newark ;  and  although  but 
a  part  of  the  Singers  were  able  to  be  present,  the 
concert  passed  off  well.  The  addresses  made  by  the 
friends  of  the  colored  people  in  the  city  made  up 
for  the  absent.  Some  good,  however,  is  destined  to 
spring  from  all  unmerited  suffering.  So  great  was 
the  indignation  of  many,  and,  I  think,  the  majority 
of  the  citizens  of  Newark,  that  they  vented  their 
just  censure  upon  the  proprietor  of  the  Continental 
without  stint.  Some  of  his  best  boarders  immedi- 
ately left  the  house  ;  and  I  have  been  told  that  the 


132  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

city  council,  observing  the  great  sympathy  awakened 
for  the  negro,  judged  it  an  opportune  time  to  pass 
an  ordinance,  to  the  end  that  all  the  public  schools 
of  the  city  should  be  open  to  the  colored  people.  So 
it  would  seem  that  God  had  chosen  these  Jubilee 
Singers,  not  only  to  enjoy  but  to  suffer  for  the  ben- 
efit of  the  race  they  represent.  They  are  of  a  thou- 
sand fold  more  account  to  God  and  to  Africa  than  to 
themselves. 

"  As  has  been  before  mentioned,  the  trustees  of 
Fisk  University  desired  the  Fort  Houston  property  at 
Nashville  for  the  site  of  their  new  building.  A  bill 
was  at  this  time  pending  at  Washington,  by  the  pas- 
sage of  which  the  trustees  would  receive  this  land  as 
a  gift  for  their  school.  It  was  believed  if  the  students 
should  go  on  to  the  capital,  and  interest  members 
of  Congress  in  their  enterprise,  the  success  of  the 
bill  would  be  assured.  We  arranged,  therefore,  to 
sing  at  Dr.  Rankin's  Church,  and  also  at  the  Sabbath 
service  held  by  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion. On  our  way,  we  proposed  a  concert  at  the  Tab- 
ernacle Church,  Jersey  City.  Entertainment  was  se- 
cured at  the  American  Hotel,  with  the  statement 
that  the  Singers  were  colored.  That  there  might  be 
no  mistake,  I  sent  a  letter  to  this  hotel,  by  a  lad 
from  our  office  in  New  York,  apprising  the  landlord 
of  the  hour  of  intended  arrival,  and  received  the  fol- 
lowing reply:  — 


From   Hartford   to   Boston.  133 

"  4  American  Hotel,  Jersey  City,  Feb  29,  1872.  Mr. 
Warner  as.  desired  me  to  say  thatt  the  Jubille  Sing- 
ers can  not  be  accomodated  at  his  Hotel  att  all. 

44 4  John  Newing. 

444  To  the  American  Missionary  Association.' 

44  This  was  a  fresh  embarrassment,  as  we  wished  to 
be  near  the  depot  for  Washington.  In  a  few  remarks 
I  made  at  the  Tabernacle  concert,  I  endeavored  to 
make  the  best  of  it,  by  assuring  the  people  I  doubted 
if  it  would  be  respectable  for  us  to  lodge  in  a  hotel 
that  indulged  in  such  miserable  spelling.  The  Jersey 
City  people,  however,  were  not  at  all  disposed  to  let 
Mr.  Warner  off  so  easily,  and  preacher  and  press 
censured  him  unsparingly.  After  my  remarks,  I  left 
for  Washington.  Here  I  met  General  John  Eaton, 
Jr.,  Commissioner  of  Education,  and  trustee  of  Fisk 
University,  and  plans  were  devised  for  the  further- 
ance of  our  mission.  I  prepared  letters  inviting  Con- 
gressmen to  the  Sabbath  meeting  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  and  gave  personal  attention  to 
arrangements  for  two  concerts.  On  the  arrival  of 
the  students,  they  were  welcomed  to  Howard  Uni- 
versity, where  they  enjoyed  many  delightful  hours. 
I  was  met  almost  everywhere  with  the  assurance, 
given  not  in  words,  but  in  looks  and  acts,  that  Wash- 
ington people  could  not  be  told  anything  about  the 
singing  of  the  negro.      They  had  lived  with  colored 


134  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

people,  and  it  was  difficult  to  find  credit  for  my  com- 
mendations. But  never  did  I  see  a  people  so  taken 
by  surprise.  After  the  first  concert  of  the  Jubilee 
Singers,  the  papers  did  not  know  how  to  say  enough 
in  their  praise.  One  assured  its  readers  it  was  the 
most  enjoyable  entertainment  ever  given  in  Washing- 
ton ;  and  all,  without  respect  to  party  or  creed,  lav- 
ished their  richest  praises  upon  the  performers.  Most 
of  the  leading  men  we  wished  to  interest  were  present 
at  some  one  of  their  services.  Mr.  Delano,  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  invited  them  to  his  office.  The  Vice- 
President  purchased  tickets  for  their  concert,  and 
attended  with  his  family.  Parson  Brownlow,  though 
sick  on  his  couch,  unable  to  sit  up,  received  them 
with  pleasure  ;  and  he  who  could  brook  unflinchingly 
the  prisons  and  the  traitors  of  the  South,  wept  like 
a  child,  as  the  children  of  a  sometime  bondage,  for 
whom  he  had  suffered,  sang  to  him,  with  a  melody 
that  might  well  have  been  caught  from  some  angels 
of  sorrow,  i  O  Lord !  O,  my  good  Lord !  keep  me 
from  sinking  down.'  The  President,  though  hur- 
ried by  preparations  for  a  cabinet  meeting,  turned 
aside  from  his  work,  admitted  them  to  his  apartme  its, 
shook  them  affectionately  by  the  hand,  assured  them 
he  was  informed  of  their  enterprise  and  in  full  sym- 
pathy with  it,  and  listened  attentively  as  they  sang, 
4  Go  down,  Moses,  way  down  in  Egypt  land ;  tell  ole 
Pharaoh  let  my  people  go.'     Nothing  was  left  undone 


From   Hartford   to   Boston.         135 

by  our  friends  at  Washington  to  make  us  happy,  01 
by  us  to  further  the  object  of  our  mission. 

'•The  citizens  of  Newark  had  insisted  that  we  should 
favor  them  with  still  another  concert  when  the  whole 
band  of  Singers  could  be  present ;  and  tins  concert 
was  arranged  to  take  place  on  our  return  from  Wash- 
ington. 

"  During  the  three  weeks  or  more  intervening  be- 
tween our  return  from  Connecticut  and  our  depar- 
ture for  Boston,  several  concerts  were  given  in  Brook- 
lyn and  in  the  city  of  New  York.  With  a  few  re- 
marks concerning  the  latter,  I  will  close  what  T 
have  to  say  for  the  evening.  The  concert  given  at 
Dr.  Burchard's  Church  met  with  such  favor,  that  a 
vast  multitude  of  people  were  determined  to  attend 
the  one  arranged  at  Association  Hall,  on  Twenty- 
third  Street,  by  Rev.  E.  M.  Cravath,  of  the  Ameri- 
can Missionary  Association.  On  our  arrival,  Monday 
night,  therefore,  we  found  the  hall  crowded  with 
people.  Rev.  Dr.  Burchard,  Dr.  William  Adams,  Dr. 
Field,  and  other  divines,  were  present.  I  had  invited 
Rev.  E.  L.  Clark,  of  New  Haven,  to  bring  the  brace- 
let given  by  a  lady  in  his  city,  and  offer  it  for  sale 
this  evening.  At  the  interval  between  the  twTo  parts, 
he  was  introduced,  and  made  a  felicitous  address.  I 
stated  that  the  bracelet  was  worth  about  a  hundred 
dollars,  and  if  wished,  at  the  close  of  the  concert  it 
could  be  secured.     I  think,  also,  it  was  suggested  that 


136  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

it  might  be  purchased,  and  given  to  the  cabinet  of 
Fisk  University.  However  that  may  have  been,  I 
was  glad  to  receive  a  card  from  a  gentleman,  prom- 
ising the  hundred  dollars,  desiring  me  to  keep  the 
bracelet  for  the  cabinet.  Others  who  were  interested 
gave  in  about  a  hundred  and  ten  dollars  additional. 
One  more  concert,  to  be  given  at  Steinway  Hall, 
was  arranged  for  Friday  night.  The  hall  was  packed 
by  the  6lite  of  the  city,  and  the  interest  at  the  close 
of  the  concert  was  unabated.  A  change  of  procedure 
was  therefore  determined  upon,  and  still  another  con- 
cert for  Steinway  Hall  announced.  By  this  time  the 
slave  songs  that  had  been  compiled  by  Mr.  Theo. 
F.  Seward  were  ready  for  the  public.  This  last 
concert  was  the  greatest  triumph  the  Singers  ever 
achieved.  The  house  was  full,  many  persons  leav- 
ing because  no  desirable  sittings  could  be  secured. 
The  platform  was  occupied  by  a  large  number  of  dis- 
tinguished persons,  including  many  of  the  eminent  di- 
vines of  New  York  City. 

"During  the  concert,  Mr.  Seward  made  a  few  re- 
marks concerning  the  Jubilee  Songs,  which  were 
then  being  sold  in  the  audience  by  hundreds.  Dr. 
Burchard,  in  behalf  of  his  Sunday  school,  presented 
Fisk  University  with  a  most  magnificent  Bible,  open- 
ing the  presentation  with  a  few  very  appropriate 
remarks.  General  Clinton  B.  Fisk,  from  whom  the 
University    has     its    name,     made     a    very    popular 


From    Hartford  to  Boston.         137 

and  felicitous  speech ;  and  perhaps  no  more  fitting 
words  for  Africa  were  ever  spoken  by  Dr.  William 
Adams  than  those  he  expressed  this  evening  to  the 
throng  of  people,  who  responded  with  an  orthodox 
4  A  men,* 

"Every  circumstance  was  favorable  for  the  good 
name  and  prosperity  of  the  students  and  their  enter- 
prise ;  and  with  hearts  of  joy  and  thanksgiving  to 
Him  who  casteth  down,  and  suffereth  that  we  be  puri- 
fied in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  yet  never  forsakes, 
till  we  come  forth  as  gold ;  yea,  to  Him  who  raiseth 
the  poor  out  of  the  dust,  that  He  may  set  him  wdth 
princes ;  wt?  bade  good  by  to  our  many  indulgent 
friends,  and  took  up  our  journey  for  Boston." 


138  The  Jubilee  Singers 


CHAPTER    IX 


BOSTON    TO    NASHVILLE. 


IT  was  understood  that  the  series  of  gatherings  we 
had  held  for  narrating  the  events  of  the  campaign 
for  twenty  thousand  dollars  would  be  brought  to  a  close 
with  one  more  meeting.  On  this  account,  an  unusual 
number  of  inquiries  respecting  our  management  were 
sent  in.  Some  wished  to  know  if  we  considered 
our  prosperity  as  coming  in  answer  to  prayer;  some 
if  the  novelty  of  the  thing  gave  success ;  others 
thought  the  sympathies  of  the  people,  coupled  with 
a  disposition  to  do  good,  attracted  them  as  people 
formerly  flocked  to  fairs  in  aid  of  our  soldiers ;  and 
still  others  were  pleased  to  believe  that  the  enterprise 
was  well  managed.  All  the  inquirers  wished  me 
to  tell  them  before  the  close  of  the  evening  just  how 
we  made  the  money.  As  I  could  not  doubt  their 
interest  in  learning  just  that,  I  determined  to  add 
a  new  feature  to  my  narrative,  and  to  explain  what 
I  knew  about  making  money  with  Jubilee  Singers. 
After   a  season  had  been    spent  in    singing,   with 


i 


Boston  to  Nashville.  10fj 

the   promise   that   there   should  be   more   during  the 
evening,  I  said,  — 

"  We  have  come,  my  friends,  to  the  last  chapter 
in  our  history.  I  shall  try  to  gratify  you  all  by  clear- 
ing up  points  that  may  aid  in  completing  your  knowl- 
edge of  every  phase  of  our  work.  Before  leaving 
New  York  for  Boston,  a  slight  change  in  the  man- 
agement was  effected.  Mr.  Pope,  who  had  enlisted 
for  a  limited  time  as  agent,  had  returned  to  his 
studies  at  Oberlin,  taking  his  wife  with  him.  I 
had  assumed  the  responsibility  of  management.  Miss 
Susan  Gilbert,  who  had  been  connected  with  the 
American  Missionary  Association  for  some  years  as 
superintendent  of  freedmen's  schools  in  North  Car- 
olina, joined  us  as  governess,  and  George  G.  Shelton 
as  advance  agent.  We  were  well  indorsed,  well 
supplied  with  working  force,  and  pretty  well  posted 
concerning  '  how  to  do  it,'  when  we  started  for  Bos- 
ton to  finish  up  the  New  England  campaign.  I  will 
answer  the   questions  asked  in  the  order  just  given. 

"  4  What  place  had  the  power  of  prayer  in  securing 
the  success  of  the  Jubilee  Singers  ? ' 

"  To  this  question,  it  is  impossible  to  give  a  con- 
clusive answer.  The  enterprise  was  the  offspring 
of  faith  and  prayer.  All  through  those  days  of  ad- 
versity they  had  wrestled  continually  in  prayer. 
The   teachers   and   students   at   Fisk  University,  who 


140  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

were  watching  every  movement  with  the  deepest 
interest,  were  praying  continually  for  them.  An 
untold  number  of  colored  people,  who  realized  how 
the  destiny  of  their  race  seemed  linked,  in  a  measure, 
ic  the  enterprise,  were  praying  for  them, — praying 
with  the  faith  and  power  experienced  when  God 
heard  and  gave  emancipation.  Christian  people,  who 
had  given  their  sons,  their  prayers,  and  their  money 
to  achieve  their  freedom,  were  praying  still  for  them. 
Perhaps  no  enterprise  during  the  past  year  has  been 
borne  upon  the  bosom  of  so  many  prayers  as  that 
of  the  Jubilee  Singers.  Without  doubt,  the  prayer 
hearing  God  heard  and  answered  these  prayers. 
There  was,  however,  the  use  of  means.  There  was 
something  besides  the  novelty  of  the  thing  to  give 
an  abiding  success.  The  songs  they  sang,  and  the 
manner  of  their  singing  them,  was  as  if  '  they  had 
learned  music  and  motion  from  an  angel  as  he  passed 
some  time  through  the  air  about  .his  ministries  here 
below.'  If  we  reflect,  we  shall  remember  that  the 
tunes  we  delight  in  have  been  culled  from  the  cen- 
turies. But  few  men  write  more  than  one  or  two 
pieces  that  live  after  them,  and  retain  popularity  gen- 
eration after  generation.  But  few  songs  keep  rever- 
berating in  our  souls  like  a  continual  echo.  The 
songs  God  gave  to  the  slave  to  use  as  his  prayer  for 
deliverance  were  very  many  of  them  of  this  character ; 
and  as  you  have    seen   a   sportive   whirlwind    catch 


Boston  to   Nashville.  141 

up  some  leaf  or  garment,  and  treat  it  to  a  gyral 
visit  towards  the  clouds,  till  its  motion  was  spent 
and  its  passenger  alighted  calmly  down ;  so  I  have 
seen  these  Jubilee  Singers  with  their  songs  catch  up 
the  souls  of  men.  There  is  novelty,  to  be  sure  — 
but  a  novelty  that  becomes  metamorphosed  into  an 
abiding  want  that  craves  these  songs  as  a  continual 
supply  for  one's  spiritual  life.  As  a  distinguished 
gentleman  once  said  to  me,  4  Their  singing  does  not 
wear  itself  out.' 

"  The  sympathies  of  the  people,  and  their  desire 
to  do  good,  were  no  liinderance  to  the  enterprise,  and 
when  once  a  popularity  was  attained,  much  was 
gained  by  appealing  to  these  dispositions ;  yet  success 
was  not  founded  upon  them. 

"  The  people  were  glad  to  pay  so  much  money  to 
procure  so  much  healthful  pleasure,  just  as  one  is 
willing  to  pay  for  tropical  fruit  or  mountain  excur- 
sions. I  am  bound  to  believe  if  we  should  take 
out  the  patronage  we  received  for  this  reason,  and 
leave  what  was  given  from  higher  motives  or  novelty, 
we  could  not  by  any  means  have  made  our  expenses. 
As  financial  success  comes  when  more  is  received  than 
expended,  the  question  arises,  How  did  we  manage  to 
get  a  surplus  ?  With  an  answer  to  this,  I  will  proceed 
with  my  narrative.  We  found  we  had  the  goods,  and 
what  remained  was  to  bring  them,  in  a  business-like 
way,  to   market.     Our   first   work  was   to  inform  the 


142  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

people  we  were  coming;  our  second,  to  inspire  them 
with  enthusiasm  to  hear  the  singing.  I  despatched  Mr. 
Shelton,  in  advance  to  Boston,  to  attend  to  the  adver- 
tising. This  was  to  be  done  by  four  methods :  by 
giving  a  notice,  containing  statements  of  time,  place 
and  benevolent  design  of  the  concert  in  each  of  the 
leading  dailies,  as  well  as  the  weekly  religious  papers 
of  the  city ;  by  placing  large  posters  in  conspicuous 
places  in  Boston  and  vicinity;  by  distributing,  in 
stores  and  at  private  residences,  little  slips,  called 
dodgers,  containing  favorable  testimonials ;  and  last, 
though  by  no  means  least,  by  preparing  notices  to 
be  read  in  all  the  churches  in  the  region. 

"The  expense  of  advertising  a  single  concert  in 
this  way  often  cost  more  than  a  hundred  dollars. 
Add  to  this,  expenses  of  a  hall,  amounting,  in  large 
cities,  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  dollars  per  night,  ex- 
penses for  ushers,  ticket-sellers,  ticket-takers,  pro- 
grammes, piano,  hotel  bills,  hack  hire  and  car  fare, 
and  the  outlay  will  range  from  one  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  day ;  es- 
pecially if  we  add  clothing  for  the  company,  and 
reasonable  compensation  for  the  working  force.  With 
such  draft  of  expenses,  one  must  turn  his  attention 
to  economies.  It  was  found  that  railroads  would 
give  half  fare,  some  readily,  others  if  sufficient  pres- 
sure was  brought  to  bear  by  influential  parties ;  hotels 
would  reduce   their  rates  one  half  or  one  third  :  the 


Boston  to  Nashville.  143 

proprietor  of  a  hall  or  opera  house  would  do  the  same ; 
and  this  principle  held  through  every  grade  of 
service. 

"  Take  out  what  the  Jubilee  Singers  saved,  through 
the  generosity  of  their  patrons,  and  the  rigid  adhe- 
rence to  business  principles  in  economies,  and  the 
showing  would  not  be  especially  flattering.  I  re- 
member one  time  of  saving  a  hundred  and  thirty-three 
dollars  in  a  single  day,  by  a  favor  that  had  been 
repeatedly  refused,  though  ultimately  granted.  The 
doctrine  was,  that  our  cause  being  just  and  purely 
benevolent,  corporations  and  individuals  must  come 
down  in  prices,  and  render  it  possible  for  us  to  go 
home  with  the  twenty  thousand  dollars  needed. 

"  Another  part  of  our  work  was  to  get  special  trains 
to  bring  patrons  to  our  concerts  at  half  fare ;  and  still 
another  to  enlist  influential  men  favorable  to  our  enter- 
prise to  lend  their  influence  in  working  up  concerts, 
and  appearing  with  words  of  indorsement  at  some 
interval  during  the  singing.  The  agencies  that  were 
combined  in  securing  the  results  we  achieved  ought  to 
have  given  success,  they  were  so  many  and  so  potent. 
Inasmuch  as  all  of  them  were  in  constant  use,  and 
serving  to  bring  before  the  public  the  richest,  rarest 
musical  entertainment  of  these  latter  days,  it  would  be 
a  wonder  if  we  had  failed  of  success.  It  is  still  to  be 
added,  that  they  usually  sang  on  the  Sabbath  in  the 


144  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

largest    and  most    influential  of    the    city   churches, 
and  this  gave  us  a  wonderful  prestige. 

"  On  reaching  Boston,  we  took  up  our  quarters  at  the 
Quincy  House,  and  sang  on  Sabbath  evening  at  Mount 
Vernon  Church.  The  weather  was  inclement,  but 
the  attendance  good,  and  the  welcome  very  grateful. 
This  week  we  held  a  series  of  concerts  in  Tremont 
Temple,  but  they  were  not  well  timed.  By  giving 
five  concerts  in  one  week  in  a  place  where  the  com- 
pany has  its  reputation  to  make,  a  supply  is  brought 
in  advance  of  the  demand,  and  hence  success  is 
quite  uncertain.  Toward  the  close  of  the  week, 
however,  people  began  to  flock  in,  and  it  was  apparent 
the  tide  was  setting  in  our  favor,  and  two  additional 
concerts  were  arranged.  Smith  Brothers  gave  an 
organ  to  Fisk  University,  valued  at  a  thousand  dol- 
lars; and  other  gifts  of  smaller  value  were  also 
received. 

"Hon.  A.  C.  Barstow,  of  Providence,  having  heard 
the  students  at  Oberlin,  offered  them  the  use  of 
his  beautiful  Music  Hall  if  they  would  visit  that 
city.  Our  reception  was  a  perfect  ovation ;  and  al- 
though the  weather  was  severe,  the  concerts  were 
successful.  This  week  we  sang  also  at  Lawrence, 
and  at  Nashua,  N.  H.  Special  trains  were  run  to 
bring  people  to  the  latter  place,  and  the  clergymen 
of  the  city,  as  well  as  many  of  our  old  friends,  gave 


Boston  to  Nashville.  145 

their    influence    and    labor    to    secure    success.     The 
occasion  was  one  long  to  be  remembered. 

"  We  next  visited  Worcester,  where  we  sang  on 
the  Sabbath  at  the  Old  South  Church,  and  gave 
concerts  Monday  and  Tuesday  at  Mechanics  Hall. 
Mr.  Earle,  the  evangelist,  was  holding  a  series  of 
meetings  in  the  city  at  the  time,  which  interested 
large  numbers  of  the  class  of  people  that  usually 
patronize  us,  but  we  felt  well  repaid  for  our  efforts. 

"  Rev.  E.  S.  Atwood  had  worked  up  great  enthu- 
siasm at  Salem,  so  when  we  reached  Mechanics 
Hall  on  Wednesday  night  we  found  it  crowded 
with  the  best  of  people.  A  second  concert  there 
a  short  time  after  gave  us  a  gross  income  of  six 
hundred  and  forty  dollars.  On  Thursday  night  of 
this  week  we  were  at  Lynn,  and  on  Saturday  we 
took  up  our  march  for  Lowell,  where  we  spent  the 
Sabbath  with  Revs.  Street  and  Baker.  Although 
the  Sabbath  was  very  stormy,  the  High  Street  Church 
was  filled;  and  notwithstanding  we  had  agreed  not 
to  take  a  collection,  before  the  benediction  waa 
pronounced  some  one  in  the  audience  requested  it,  and 
a  vote  was  taken,  which  resulted  in  a  decision  to  pass 
round  the  boxes.  General  S.  C.  Armstrong,  Superin- 
tendent of  Hampton  Normal  and  Agricultural  Insti- 
tute, was  present,  and  addressed  our  meetings,  both 
morning  and  evening.  An  annual  Union  Mission- 
ary meeting  had  been  appointed  for  this  evening; 
10 


146  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

but    the    rain    and    snow    and    the    Jubilee   Singers 
proved  such  obstacles,  the  meeting  was  given  up. 

"  We  had  long  been  indebted  to  Mr.  John  Backup, 
of  Boston  Highlands,  for  the  services  rendered  us 
in  connection  with  the  press,  and  in  many  other  ways. 
He  proposed,  if  we  would  visit  his  part  of  the  city, 
to  call  together  a  few  representative  men  connected 
with  the  churches  in  Iris  vicinity,  and  secure  a  com- 
mittee from  each  church  to  take  a  proportionate  num- 
ber of  tickets,  and  sell  them  in  the  parishes.  This 
plan  was  adopted,  and  the  house  filled  to  overflow- 
ing. Farmer  John  Allen,  of  Wakefield,  did  almost 
marvellous  work  in  gathering  twelve  hundred  people 
to  hear  us.  At  Andover,  Messrs.  Stickel  and  Smith, 
of  the  Theological  Seminary,  provided  every  needful 
arrangement  for  our  concert.  Mr.  George  Taylor 
gave  a  most  hospitable  welcome  to  the  ladies  of  the 
company,  entertaining  them  at  his  house,  and  afford- 
ing them  every  opportunity  for  enjoying  the  school 
buildings,  cabinets,  and  libraries  of  the  different  insti- 
tutions. Mrs.  Clough  entertained  the  young  men  with 
equal  hospitality.  Rev.  Mr.  Williams  moved,  at  the 
concert,  that  a  collection  be  taken  to  purchase  books 
Cor  Fisk  University,  and  Professor  Park  seconded 
the  same.  The  young  ladies  of  Abbott  Female 
Seminary  were  anxious  to  co-operate,  and  money  and 
books  were  contributed,  amounting  to  more  than  a 
hundred    dollars    in  value.      During    these  days   we 


Boston  to  Nashville.  147 

sold  many  copies  of  the  Jubilee  Songs,  and  the  hills 
and  valle}rs,  the  parlors  and  halls,  all  over  the  regions 
where  we  travelled,  were  vocal  with  the  melodies 
of  the  Singers. 

"  On  the  Sabbath  I  had  arranged  to  sing  at  the 
Stearns  Chapel,  in  Cambridgeport,  on  the  kind  invita- 
tion of  Mr.  Edward  Abbott,  of  the  Congregationalist, 
and  also  at  the  First  Church.  At  both  places 
we  were  greeted  most  cordially.  Addresses  were 
made  at  the  chapel  by  General  Armstrong  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Abbott,  and  in  the  evening  by  Professor  Peabody 
and  Mr.  McKenzie.  Liberal  donations  were  made  at 
both  places. 

"  Tins  week  we  were  to  give  concerts  at  Taunton, 
Providence,  and  Boston,  —  four  in  all.  At  Taunton, 
the  clergymen  of  the  city,  by  their  own  motion,  raised 
an  amount  of  money  to  furnish  books  for  our  library. 
At  Providence,  Mr.  George  Barstow,  who  had  ar- 
ranged for  the  concert,  secured  us  an  audience,  the 
gross  income  of  which  amounted  to  about  one  thou- 
sand dollars.  On  Thursday  we  were  again  at  Bos- 
ton, and  Mayor  Gaston  made  an  address  of  welcome. 
There  had  been  some  criticism  in  the  papers  re- 
specting our  habit  of  introducing  remarks  explan- 
atory of  our  mission  and  the  work  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  under  whose  auspices  we 
were  serving.  Perhaps,  on  some  occasions  these  re- 
marks were  too  elaborate.     I  did  not  feel,  however, 


148  The   Jubilee   Singeks. 

that  they  should  be  omitted.  We  were  not  shoivmen. 
We  had  left  our  usual  method  of  informing  the  public 
of  the  progress  and  necessities  of  our  work,  but  we 
had  not  abandoned  it.  We  knew  full  well  that  a 
large  majority  of  those  who  gathered  to  hear  sing- 
*ng  knew  but  very  little,  if  anything,  about  the 
vork  of  the  American  Missionary  Association;  and 
;hat  by  hearing  slave  songs,  they  got  no  knowledge 
of  facts,  any  more  than  they  would  by  listening  to 
mocking  birds.  We  had  seventeen  normal  schools, 
seven  colleges,  and  forty-nine  churches  to  support 
among  the  freedmen.  The  Singers  were  developed 
in  these  institutions,  and  millions  more  were  awaiting 
development ;  and  God  had  given  us  the  ears  of  the 
multitude,  who  needed  to  be  informed  and  brought 
into  co-operation  with  the  work.  We  believe  we 
should  have  been  derelict  in  duty  if  we  had  not 
availed  ourselves  of  a  few  moments  to  communicate 
facts,  while  the  Singers  were  winning  so  many  golden 
opinions.  I  sought,  therefore,  to  popularize  this  part 
of  our  programme. 

"  On  Saturday  of  this  week  we  gave  our  second 
matinee  at  Tremont  Temple.  We  were  well  adver- 
tised, and  the  crowd  that  gathered  was  immense.  Gen- 
eral Clinton  B.  Fisk  was  present,  and  made  a  very 
pleasing  address.  The  gross  income  of  this  concert 
amounted  to  twelve  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars, 
which    was   the    largest    amount,    exclusive   of   gifts, 


Boston   to  Nashville.  149 

ever  received  at  a  single  entertainment.  The  Sabbath 
found  us  at  Berkeley  Street  and  Bark  Street  Churches, 
where  there  were  great  gatherings.  The  meeting 
at  the  Bark  Street  Church  was  in  behalf  of  tem- 
perance, though  the  collection  was  for  our  institu- 
tion. The  night  was  very  stormy,  yet  every  inch 
of  standing  room  seemed  to  be  taken.  Able  ad- 
dresses were  delivered,  and  many  slave  songs  sung. 
The  students  also  sang  several  temperance  melodies, 
and  among  the  number,  4  Wine  is  a  mocker.'  Miss  Shep- 
pard  sang  in  the  duet  in  this,  with  her  sweet,  culti- 
vated, plaintive  voice,  never  so  well,  and  little  Minnie 
dropped  into  it,  opportunely,  her  clear,  rich  alto,  while 
the  chorus  came  up  in  support  with  masterly  effect. 
It  was  perfectly  electrical.  The  applause  was  terrific. 
I  remember  seeing  an  eminent  D.  D.  spatting  his 
hands  with  an  energy  that  I  fear  would  have  put 
to  blush  the  fathers  who  stood  where  he  did  during 
the  early  history  of  this  venerable  church.  Nothing 
seemed  sufficient  to  check  the  enthusiasm,  till  Deacon 
Farnsworth  directed  that  the  contribution  boxes  be 
passed. 

"  Concerts  were  given  this  week  in  Cambridge,  Chel- 
sea, Salem,  and  Newburyport.  Mr.  C.  A.  Bichardson, 
the  managing  editor  of  the  Congregationalist,  arranged 
for  the  concert  at  Chelsea  in  a  very  business-like 
manner.  A  paper,  addressed  to  me,  was  drawn  up 
and  signed  by  the  mayor   and   other   prominent   citi- 


150  The   Jubilee  Singers. 

zens,  petitioning  that  the  Singers  give  them  a  concert. 
This  was  published  in  the  papers,  with  the  statement 
that  we  would  accept  the  invitation,  which  gave  both 
publicity  and  popularity  to  the  movement.  The  pro- 
prietor of  the  City  Hotel  offered  entertainment  to 
the  company  free,  and  we  enjoyed  our  success  exceed- 
ingly. James  C.  Coleman,  Esq.,  of  Newburyport,  had 
exerted  his  tireless  energies  in  gathering  a  large  audi- 
ence for  us  in  his  city,  and  the  clergymen  co-oper- 
ated to  make  our  visit  in  every  way  agreeable. 

"  We  had  purposed  to  visit  Maine,  New  Hampshire, 
and  Vermont,  and  went  on  from  Newburyport  to 
Portland,  where  we  had  Sabbath  services  in  Rev. 
William  Fenn's  Church  in  the  afternoon,  and  in 
Rev.  J.  Y.  Hincks's  in  the  evening.  On  Monday  even- 
ing a  concert  was  given  in  the  City  Hall,  at  which 
the  mayor  made  some  eloquent  and  patriotic  remarks ; 
assuring  the  students  that  Maine  fought  bravely 
for  emancipation,  and  was  now  in  working  sympathy 
with  the  black  man  in  his  struggles  for  equal  rights 
and  entire  justice.  His  eloquence  took  other  form 
than  that  of  words.  In  behalf  of  the  city  coun- 
cil, he  gave  us  the  use  of  the  magnificent  City 
Hall,  which  usually  rented  for  sixty  or  seventy- 
five  dollars  per  evening,  leaving  us  only  to  defray 
the  expense  of  opening  it.  Our  next  appointment 
was  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  from  which  place  we  went 
on    to    Dartmouth    College.       President    Smith    and 


Boston  to  Nashville.  151 

the  professors  made  everything  as  pleasant  as  possible 
for  us,  and  the  students  were  profited  by  visiting  the 
Observatory,  and  other  places  of  interest  connected 
with  the  institution. 

44  Hon.  Horace  Fairbanks,  together  with  citizens  of 
St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.,  pledged  us  five  hundred  dollars 
if  we  would  pay  them  a  visit;  adding,  that  if  more 
could  be  realized,  it  should  be  given  us.  We  left 
Hanover  the  next  morning  to  fill  our  engagement  at 
this  place.  On  reaching  St.  Johnsbury  we  found 
beautiful  bouquets  of  flowers  in  our  rooms,  and 
as  soon  as  we  were  fairly  settled  in  our  apartments, 
a  very  large  and  rare  selection  of  flowers  was  sent 
to  us,  accompanied  with  a  note  as  beautiful  and 
expressive  as  the  bouquet  itself.  Expectation  ran 
so  high,  I  was  very  fearfid  disappointment  would 
follow.  Special  trains  were  to  bring  in  parties  from 
many  miles  in  almost  every  direction. 

44  On  Saturday  we  bade  adieu  to  Vermont,  where 
we  had  enjoyed  a  most  delightful  visit,  to  spend 
the  Sabbath  at  Springfield,  Mass.  Rev.  C.  L.  Wood- 
worth,  District  Secretary  of  the  Association  at  Bos- 
ton, met  the  Singers  here,  and  made  several  able 
addresses  in  connection  with  the  Sabbath  services, 
and  at  the  concert  on  Monday  night  received  ten 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Our  campaign  in  New  Eng- 
land was  now  completed,  and  we  had  earned,  in  less 


152  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

tfian  two  months,  about  twelve  thousand  dollars. 
On  Tuesday  night  we  were  at  Troy,  and  on  Wed- 
nesday at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  At  the  latter  place, 
we  visited  the  Vassar  Female  College,  and  received 
from  the  faculty  and  young  ladies  a  very  handsome 
present  of  money  for  our  enterprise." 

Our  work  was  now  completed.  Twenty  thousand 
dollars  had  been  earned,  and  it  was  only  left  us  to 
return  the  students  to  their  homes.  We  left  New 
York  on  the  2d  of  May,  taking  the  Louisville  car,  via 
Pennsylvania  Central,  and  no  incident  of  interest 
occurred  until  we  reached  Louisville.  Mr.  White 
had  written  to  the  officers  of  the  Louisville  and  Nash- 
ville Railroad,  asking,  that  inasmuch  as  he  paid  full 
fare  for  his  company,  he  be  furnished  with  first-class 
accommodations.  Arriving  at  Louisville,  we  had  two 
or  three  hours  to  wait.  I  took  a  walk  through  some 
of  the  principal  streets,  and  Mr.  White,  with  the 
Singers,  proceeded  to  the  Nashville  depot,  and  en- 
tered the  waiting-room.  An  official  ordered  the  com- 
pany into  the  room  for  "  niggers."  Mr.  White  de- 
clined to  go,  as  he  held  first-class  tickets.  Upon 
this,  another  official  was  produced,  who,  swinging 
his  baton,  with  threats  and  oaths,  seized  Miss  Jennie 
Jackson,  to  put  her  out  by  main  force.  As  this 
specimen   of    Southern   chivalry   displayed  his    badge 


Boston  to  Nashville.  158 

of  office,  and  by  his  manner  illustrated  that  he  was 
of  the  superior  race,  only  fitted  to  hold  offices  of  trust, 
Mr.  White  rendered  obedience  to  those  who  bore 
rule,  and  left  the  room  to  stand  out  in  God's  free  air, 
where  there  is  no  inequality  save  such  as  Heaven  has 
vouchsafed.  The  excitement  about  the  depot  was 
intense.  Coming  up  a  short  time  afterwards,  ard 
hearing  the  sad  story,  I  entered  into  a  discussion 
with  some  who  were  standing  by,  and  on  mentioning 
to  a  hot-headed  young  man  that  during  that  week  the 
nine  Singers  had  given  a  concert  the  receipts  of 
which  were  above  a  thousand  dollars,  he  was  silenced. 

When  the  train  backed  into  the  depot,  we  were 
shown  into  a  first-class  car,  and  proceeded  to  Nash- 
ville without  further  insult. 

The  students  were  received  at  the  University  with 
the  warmest  greetings.  They  had  gone  forth  weeping, 
but  returned,  bringing  their  sheaves  with  them.  God 
had  chosen  them  to  be  the  saviours  of  their  insti- 
tution ;  and  their  songs  of  joy  and  thanksgiving 
were  such  as  only  colored  people  can  sing.  Those 
who  had  scoffed  at  them  when  going  forth,  vener- 
ated them  now.  No  such  enterprise  had  ever  ap- 
peared on  the  pages  of  history ;  and  the  possibilities 
before  the  colored  man  broke  forth  in  beauty,  like 
the  aurora  of  some  millennial  morning.  That  God 
may  grant  an  early  realization  of  these  bright  prospects, 


154  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

and  that  the  Freedmen  of  the  South  may  soon  come  in* 
to  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  the  blessings  of  liberty,  for 
which  they  have  so  long  prayed  and  waited,  will 
ever  be  the  prayer  of  one  who  has  borne  some  humble 
part  in  the  sufferings  and  success  of  the  campaign 
for  Twenty  Thousand  Dollars. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  universal  favor  with  which  the  Jubilee  Sing- 
ers were  received  last  year,  and  their  success  in 
earning  twenty  thousand  dollars,  encouraged  the  officers 
of  the  American  Missionary  Association  and  the  trustees 
of  the  University  to  mature  plans  for  their  reappear- 
ing at  the  North.  The  money  they  raised  is  insuffi- 
cient for  the  purchase  of  a  suitable  site  and  the 
erection  of  the  permanent  buildings. 

The  number  of  the  Singers  has,  therefore,  been 
increased,  and  two  companies  formed,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  giving  two  concerts  in  an  evening.  Three 
members  of  the  smaller  company  belonged  to  the 
original  Jubilee  Singers,  whose  history  has  been  given. 
A  few  words  concerning  the  remaining  two,  and  the 
pianist  who   accompanies  them,  is  appended. 

Julia  Jackson  was  born  a  slave,  though  the  year 
of  her  birth  is  not  known.  Her  mother  bought  her, 
when  quite  young,  for  three  hundred  dollars,  and 
remained  with  her   till  seven    years  old,  then  went 

155 


156  The   Jubilee   Singers. 

to  stay  with  an  aunt,  who  hired  her  time  and  lived 
by  herself.  Her  uncle  having  threatened  to  run 
away,  was  sent  to  the  trader's  yard  to  be  sold ; 
and  fearing  the  aunt  intended  doing  the  same,  they 
sent  her  there  for  safety  until  her  owners,  who  lived 
in  the  country,  could  be  informed.  Julia  was  al- 
lowed to  carry  her  food  three  times  a  day.  As 
her  master  had  not  called  for  his  money  for  some  time, 
she  had  quite  a  sum  saved,  told  Julia  where  this  was 
hid,  and  requested  her  to  secretly  get  it,  and  bring  it  to 
her  the  next  time  she  came.  Then  she  told  her 
she  was  going  to  run  away;  that  she  must  not  tell 
any  one,  but  look  all  around  the  yard  and  find  a  place 
where  she  could  get  out.  The  master  soon  came 
to  look  after  his  property,  and  gave  her  permis- 
sion to  go  out  of  the  yard,  and  settle  up  her  busi- 
ness, to  go  up  country  with  him.  She  went  in  and 
out  for  a  week,  then  failed  one  night  to  return. 
Julia  was  faithful  to  her  trust,  carried  her  break- 
fast to  the  yard  in  the  morning  as  she  was  told, 
and  seemed  very  much  surprised  to  hear  she  was  not 
there.  It  was  thought  by  those  in  charge  that  she 
might  have  reached  the  yard  after  the  gates  were 
closed,  so  Julia  carried  her  dinner,  though  she  knew 
all  the  time  her  aunt  was  beyond  reach. 

For  one  year  Julia  lived  with  a  colored  woman, 
then  hired  herself  out  at  five  dollars  a  month ;  but 
six  months  after,   was  obliged  to  leave   on  account 


Appendix.  15T 

of  a  felon.  When  well,  went  into  service  again,  and 
remained  until  she  had  saved  money  enough  to  com- 
mence school.  This  was  in  1869.  She  remained  in 
school  for  two  years  with  the  help  of  her  brother,  and 
then  went  into  the  country  to  teach.  In  her  first 
school  she  had  thirty-five  scholars.  The  room  was 
very  destitute  of  furniture,  and  she  constructed  the 
benches  herself,  taking  long  boards  and  supporting 
them  with  stones.  Sabbath  school  was  held  in  the 
same  place ;  and  as  there  was  no  one  in  the  district 
who  could  take  the  charge  or  offer  prayer,  she  was 
obliged  to  be  the  superintendent.  This  school  num- 
bered sixty  scholars,  old  and  young. 

Josephine  Moore  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tenn., 
in  1857.  Her  parents  were  both  slaves.  After  the 
Proclamation,  her  father  continued  at  the  same  place, 
and  worked  for  the  same  man  as  before,  receiving 
wages,  while  her  mother  took  time  to  look  after  her 
family,  and  keep  them  comfortable.  When  she  was 
fifteen,  the  daughter  of  her  former  master  gave  her 
music  lessons  for  six  months.  She  attended  Fisk 
School  when  it  first  opened,  and  took  music  lessons 
there  two  years.  For  a  time  she  assisted  the  music 
teacher  at  the  University. 

Edmund  Watkests  was  born  in  Coosa  County,  Ala., 
in  1850.     His  father  was  taken  to  Texas  when  Edmund 


158  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

was  very  young.  His  mother  was  a  field  hand,  and 
when  eight  years  old  he  went  into  the  field  with  her 
to  pick  cotton.  When  he  had  grown  to  be  a  large  boy, 
his  task  was  to  pick  two  hundred  pounds  of  cotton  a 
day.  His  mother's  task  was  a  hundred  and  sixty 
pounds.  After  finishing  his  own  work,  Edmund 
helped  his  mother,  while  she  sewed  for  him  or  his  two 
sisters.  After  the  war,  his  master  would  pay  him  no 
wages,  and  he  laid  his  plans  for  running  away  with 
five  others.  He  had  his  clothing,  and  what  he  needed 
for  the  journey,  concealed  in  the  carriage-house ;  but 
a  few  hours  before  he  was  to  start  the  plot  was 
revealed,  and  he  knew  that  men  were  stationed  at 
different  outposts  to  intercept  or  shoot  the  fugitives. 
Some  time  after  he  attempted  the  same  thing  again. 
That  very  afternoon  his  master  called  him  to  saddle  his 
horse.  He  brought  it  to  the  door,  knowing  all  the 
time  that  his  master  was  going  out  to  make  sure  his 
slave  did  not  escape ;  and  then  watched  his  move- 
ments very  closely,  and  took  the  opposite  direction 
himself ;  and  when  his  master  returned,  and  called  for 
him  to  put  up  his  horse,  he  was  missing.  He  travelled 
through  the  woods  that  night,  and  then  took  the  road 
for  Talladega.  He  worked  on  the  railroad  for  a  while, 
but  had  nothing  to  eat  but  pork  and  crackers,  and  not 
enough  of  those.  He  and  one  of  his  friends  ran  away 
from  the  camp  where  they  lodged.  A  man  in  a  cart 
promised  to  buy  them  something  to  eat  if  they  would 


Appendix.  159 

help  him  haul  wood ;  but  finding  the  man  did  not 
fulfil  his  promise,  they  cut  loose  from  him.  Soon  they 
came  across  a  field  where  the  blackberries  were  just 
turning  red,  and  were  so  famished  that  they  ate  a  full 
meal  of  these  unripe  berries.  They  hired  themselves 
at  the  next  plantation,  some  fifteen  miles  from 
Edmund's  home.  His  master  found  where  he  was, 
and  sent  six  men  after  him.  Such  strong  force  he 
dared  not  resist,  and  went  with  them  so  willingly, 
that  the  men,  when  within  five  miles  of  home,  paid 
little  attention  to  him,  and  he  took  to  the  woods  again. 
In  the  morning  he  went  to  see  his  mother,  and  finally, 
on  being  urged,  into  his  master's  presence.  He  was 
then  taken  to  the  woods  and  whipped,  and  regular 
work  assigned  him,  which  he  did  not  exert  himself 
very  much  to  do.  His  master  then  offered  his  mother, 
sister,  and  himself  five  dollars  apiece  for  three  months' 
work.  Edmund  was  only  about  sixteen,  but  knew 
too  much  to  accept  such  wages.  It  was  at  this  time 
he  talked  so  squarely,  that  his  master  remarked  that 
he  had  "  more  sense  than  he  ever  saw  in  a  little  nigger 
before."  Then  his  master  wished  to  get  him  bound  to 
him.  Edmund  saw  no  way  of  escape  but  to  run  away 
again.  This  time  he  went  to  Talladega,  and  hired  out 
at  fifty  cents  a  day.  When  he  had  saved  quite  a  sum, 
he  lent  it  to  a  white  man,  who  promised  great  interest, 
but  never  paid  even  the  money. 

In   1868  he   determined  to  go  to  school.     He  first 


160  The  Jubilee  Singers. 

helped  a  man  build  a  house,  so  as  to  have  a  place  to 
stay ;  worked  morning  and  evening,  bought  his  own 
food,  and  paid  some  one  two  dollars  a  month  for  doing 
his  cooking  and  washing.  The  first  year  he  learned 
his  letters,  and  read  through  the  Second  Reader.  Then 
he  was  sick  with  fever  for  nearly  i  year.  When  he 
recovered  he  went  back  to  Talla  lega  College,  and 
cut  stock  in  a  saw-mill  to  pay  his  board.  At  the  end 
of  that  year  he  read  in  the  Fourth  Reader,  could 
cipher  a  little,  and  had  studied  Geography.  During 
the  vacation  he  taught  school  in  Clay  County.  He 
returned  to  school  another  year,  and  taught  in  the 
same  place  the  next  vacation.  The  last  year  he  paid 
his  way  in  school  by  doing  the  marketing  for  the  large 
family  of .  For  some  time  he  conducted  a  Sab- 
bath school  out  at  the  Cove,  six  miles  from  Talladega 
College. 


JUBILEE    SONGS. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  MUSIC. 


In  giving  these  melodies  to  the  world  in  a  tangible  form,  it  seems 
desirable  to  say  a  few  words  about  them  as  judged  from  a  musical 
stand-point.  It  is  certain  that  the  critic  stands  completely  disarmed 
in  their  presence.  He  must  not  only  recognize  their  immense  power 
over  audiences  which  include  many  people  of  the  highest  culture,  but, 
if  he  be  not  thoroughly  encased  in  prejudice,  he  must  yield  a  tribute 
of  admiration  on  his  own  part,  and  acknowledge  that  these  songs  touch 
a  chord  which  the  most  consummate  art  fails  to  reach.  Something  of 
this  result  is  doubtless  due  to  the  singers  as  well  as  to  then-  melodies. 
The  excellent  renderng  of  the  Jubilee  Band  is  made  more  effective  and 
the  interest  is  intensified  by  the  comparison  of  their  former  state  of 
slavery  and  degradation  with  the  present  prospects  and  hopes  of  their 
race,  which  crowd  upon  every  listener's  mind  during  the  singing  of 
their  songs.  Yet  the  power  is  chiefly  in  the  songs  themselves,  and 
hence  a  brief  analysis  of  them  will  be  of  interest.^ 

Their  origin  is  unique.  They  are  never  ''composed"  after  the 
manner  of  ordinary  music,  but  spring  into  h\e,  ready  made,  from  the 
white  heat  of  religious  fervor  during  some  protracted  meeting  in 
church  or  camp.  They  come  from  no  musical  cultivation  whatever, 
but  are  the  simple,  ecstatic  utterances  of  wholly  untutored  minds. 
From  so  unpromising  a  source  we  could  reasonably  expect  only  such 
a  mass  of  crudities  as  would  be  unendurable  to  the  cultivated  ear.  On 
the  contrary,  however,  the  cultivated  listener  confesses  to  a  new  charm, 
and  to  a  power  never  before  felt,  at  least  in  its  kind.  What  can  we 
infer  from  this  but  that  the  child-like,  receptive  minds  of  these  unfor- 
tunates were  wrought  upon  with  a  true  inspiration,  and  that  this  gift 
was  bestowed  upon  them  by  an  ever-watchful  Father,  to  quicken  the 
pulses  of  life,  and  to  keep  them  from  the  state  of  hopeless  apathy  into 
which  they  were  in  danger  of  falling. 

A  technical  analysis  of  these  melodies  shows  some  interesting  facts. 
The  first  peculiarity  that  strikes  the  attention  is  in  the  rhythm.  This 
is  often  complicated,  and  sometimes  strikingly  original.  But  although 
so  new  and  strange,  it  is  most  remarkable  that  these  effects  are  so 
extremely  satisfactory.  We  see  few  cases  of  what  theorists  call  mis-farm, 
although  the  student  of  musical  composition  is  likely  to  fall  into  that 
error  long  after  he  has  mastered  the  leading  principles  of  the  art. 


164 

Another  noticeable  feature  of  the  songs  is  the  entire  absence  of 
triple  time,  or  three-part  measure  among  them.  The  reason  for  this 
is  doubtless  to  be  found  in  the  beating  of  the  foot  and  the  swaying  of 
the  body  which  are  such  frequent  accompaniments  of  the  singing. 
These  motions  are  in  even  measure,  and  in  perfect  time;  and  so  it  will 
be  found  that  however  broken  and  seemingly  irregular  the  movement 
of  the  music,  it  is  always  capable  of  the  most  exact  measurement.  In 
other  words,  its  irregularities  invariably  conform  to  the  "higher  law  *' 
of  the  perfect  rhythmic  flow. 

It  is  a  coincidence  worthy  of  note  that  more  than  hall  the  melodies 
in  this  collection  are  in  the  same  scale  as  that  in  which  Scottish  music 
is  written ;  that  is,  with  the  fourth  and  seventh  tones  omitted.  The  fact 
that  the  music  of  the  ancient  Greeks  is  also  said  to  have  been  written 
in  this  scale,  suggests  an  interesting  inquiry  as  to  whether  it  may  not 
be  a  peculiar  language  of  nature,  or  a  simpler  alphabet  than  the  ordi- 
nary diatonic  scale,  in  which  the  uncultivated  mind  finds  its  easiest 
expression. 

The  variety  of  forms  presented  in  these  songs  is  truly  surprising, 
when  their  origin  is  considered.  This  diversity  is  greater  than  the 
listener  would  at  first  be  likely  to  suppose.  The  frequent  recurrence 
of  one  particular  effect,  viz. :  that  given  on  the  last  syllable  of  the 
word  "chariot"  in  the  first  line  of  "  Swing  Low,"  conveys  an  impres- 
sion of  sameness  which  is  not  justified  by  the  general  structure  of  the 
songs.  The  themes  are  quite  as  distinct  and  varied  as  in  the  case  of 
more  pretentious  compositions. 

The  public  may  feel  assured  that  the  music  herein  given  is  entirely 
correct.  It  was  taken  down  from  the  singing  of  the  band,  during 
repeated  interviews  held  for  the  purpose,  and  no  line  or  phrase  was 
introduced  that  did  not  receive  full  indorsement  from  the  singers. 
Some  of  the  phrases  and  turns  in  the  melodies  are  so  peculiar  that  the 
listener  might  not  unreasonably  suppose  them  to  be  incapable  of  exact 
representation  by  ordinary  musical  characters.  It  is  found,  however, 
that  they  all  submit  to  the  laws  of  musical  language,  and  if  they  are 
sung  or  played  exactly  as  written,  all  the  characteristic  effects  will  be 
reproduced. 

THEO.  F.  SEWAKD, 

Orange,  N.  J. 


165 


JUBILEE   SONGS.* 


It  will  be  observed  that  in  must  of  these  songs  the  first  strain  is  of  the  nature  of  a 
choruo  or  refrain,  which  is  to  be  sung  after  each  verse.  The  return  to  this  chorus 
should  be  made  without  breaking  the  time. 

In  some  of  the  verses  the  syllables  do  not  correspond  exactly  to  the  notes  in  the 

The  adaptation  is  so  eaaj  that  it  was  thought  beet  to  Leave  it  to  the  skill  of 

the  singer  rather  than  to  oomfoae  the  eye  by  too  many  notes.    The  music  is  in  each 

case  carefully  adapted  to  the  first  verse.     Whatever  changes  may  be  necessary  in 

singing  the  remaining  verses  will  be  found  to  involve  no  difficulty. 


jlobfltm  fcnrjtos  tlje  trouble  $  see,  ILortr! 


No-bo -dy  knows  the  trouble  I   see,  Lord,  No-bo-dy  knows  the 


Hi 


trou-ble    I     see,  No  -  bo  -  dy  knows  the  trouble   I     see,  Lord, 

For*. 


&■ — & 


\\        .  M  ?f 


No  -  bo  -  dy  knows  like     Je  -   sus.     1.  Broth-ers,  will    you 


I 


7 


d= 


■9 


m 


pray  for  me,  Brothers,  will  you  pray  for  me,  Brothers,  will 


I 


D.C. 


6       6    1 


pray    for    me, 


=-* # 0— 

And  help  me    to  drive  old 


I 


Sa  -  tan    a  -  way. 


2.  Sisters,  will  yon  pray  for  me,  &c. 

3.  Mothers,  will  y  u  pray  for  me,  &c. 

4.  Preachers,  will  you  pray  for  me,  &c. 


irate  edition  of  I  _  .  in   large  type,   la  published   in 

Broome  Street,  New  York.    Price,  25  cents.    For  sale  also  at 
the  rooms  of  the  Am.  Mis.  Association. 


166 


jstoing  lofco,  gtoeet  (ttijarurt. 


¥ 


fc-N-4- 


t>^~?-~F~fLF~h — Er  ■*_.    1  ~t? — !N  — !^  — g? — K— ^— ^— P^r 


fP 


^     ^     H     >_ 

•     /     •     • 


Swing  low,  sweet  char-i-ot,      Com-ing  for   to    car  -  ry    me  home, 

,  ,  ,  ,  *■+■-■*. 


g--g-g_:g_:g_g_^ 


Fine. 


•    p  l»r    ?    ?    ?    ?  i 

Swing  low,  sweet  c_ar-i  -  ot,      Com-ing  for   to    car-iy    me  home. 


i 


____0_SS_?E___! 


JJ — h_-h — tr 
:_ 


_±* 


r* 


H 


_=*___:_  _z_*  rrazrzpprp* 

1.  I     looked       o      -       ver  'Jor  -  dan,  and  what  did    I        see, 

2.  If  you         get  there      be     -     fore  I        do, 

3.  The  bright  -  est  day  that        ev    -     er  I        saw, 

4.  I'm  some  -  times  up        and         some  -   times  down, 


p. 

N 

is     i 

■  * 

*■■ 

■fmP     -S     ~N     -K 

=* 

5 

—0~ 

=_%=:- 

-F 

^**J        h          h          _  1 

1   i*          J       M 

4^F— * — # — j_d 

\S\J       0       0       e 

§ 

0 

! 

L 

V      v      V 
Com-ing  for 

to 

car- 

ry 

me  home ' 

•       i*'       \j 
'    A      band  of      an  -  gels 

Com-ing  for 

to 

car- 

ry 

me  home, 

Tell    all     my  friends  I'm 

Com-ing  for 

to 

car- 

rv 

me  home, 

When  Je  -  sus  wash'd  my 
Bat   still    my   soul  feels 

Com-ing  for 

to 

car  - 

ry 

me  home, 

•0- 

■0- 

♦•      ■#-  . 

— 0— 

—0  — 

—0— 

-r-Ef-- 

•♦ 

'™u 

j    t 

1       v    v      v      y 

& 

9 

9 

1/  1.  r 

^ ^ 

D.a 

|P=fi^F 

Jd&=JJ-£ 

=ff 

=£ 

— *— 

— K 
— h- 

F^=fl 

^n    ^> iff* 
-p — 4 — ~T~ 

tp>      *      w 

§ 

# 

V 

; 

3    M 

com-ing 
com     - 
sins 
heaven 

v — v     ^  1 

af-  ter    me, 
ing         too, 

a    -     way, 
-   ly       bound, 

'    _       _       _ 
/      /      • 

Com-ing   for 
Com-ing  for 
Com-ing   for 
Com-ing   for 

t 

to 
to 
to 
to 

car- 
car  ■ 
car- 
car  • 

-#■ 

ry 

•ry 

ry 

me 
me 
me 
me 

0 

1 . 

home, 
home, 
home, 
home. 

9:r 

— __ 

— 1-» » — #— 

— 0— 

4— 

~h 

~1 — 

if-41 

,-^  b 

i  ^     M     H 

W 

0 

# 

« 

UL    4-1 

!         i7 

11/     p     ^ 

p 

D 

tv 

1  r  -JJ 

> 

t/ 

b 

tvoom  Enougft.  167 


33: 


1.  Oh,  brothers,  don't  stay  a  -  way,  Brothers,  don't  stay  a  -  way, 
*— rt- 


wm 


t 


%    D     R-j* — » — »H 


,-0— u — s — m — i — 

if   JVJ 

■1      H — * 

EI — J      *  •   «— 

Broth-ers,     don't 

*         0    •     0 

LJ    3    3' 

stay      a  -  way, 

J i_ 

L-  0 ■* #— 

Don't    Rtay      a  - 

way. 

m     • 

h\\>  [       .        J 

:-' 1       t- 

\*F=\ 

r  B  g  r 

L-^        g         ' 

1         iv      y 

Lr — ' 

Chorus. 


m 


EE 


For  my  Lord  says  there's  room  e-nough,  Eoom  e  -  nough  in  the 

• — I — * — *— r-p — 0  ■     0 — ,__# — *_ •_ * — m. 

zkzjf 


#=* 


W-*-i-*-i*=t=f=*^-*=^=B=^  *&* 


Heav'ns  for  you,  My  Lord  says  there's  room  enough,  Don't  stay  away. 

-M 0 0—rM 0 0- 


^:?  iTi     :    "L- xEp-    i".    -|^— f=rft=fl 


2  Oh,  mourners,  don't  stay  away. 

Cho.— Yor  the  Bible  says  there's  room  enough,  &c. 

3  Oh,  sinners,  don't  stay  away. 

Cho.— For  the  angel  says  there's  room  enough,  <fcc. 

4  Oh,  children,  don't  stay  away. 

Cho.  —For  Jesus  says  there's  room  enough,  <fcc. 


*  The  peculiar  accent  here  makes  the  words  sound  thus  :  "  rooma  nough." 


168 


Chorus.  v 


WW 


O    redeemed,  re  -  deemed,    I'm  washed  in  the  blood  of   the 


3=trf=F* 


S^eSe*E|E£E§E 


■tv-fc 


FlKE. 


t  J*  J  D  hi — H—E-- — — -  a- c> — ,J 


Lamb,  O  redeemed,  re-de 


6,rB 

eemed,  I' 


m  wash'd  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 


1  5^_   p 1 _ £ — p 1 IJ 


n  it 

N         IS 

V 

\     s 

h 

V  *r     h 

i            V 

N      S 

N           S         S 

— # # — 

— 0 -j'— 

-# 0— 

— # — 

- — i N ft- 

\y\J 0 — 

|  ,         | 

— 1 0 — 

VH     % 

-(— 

S  *  * 

—0 0 0 — 

1.  Al-tl 

2.  Whei 

3.  Ee 

lough  you 
i  I      was  a 
-    li  -  gion  'e 

see     me  £ 
mourner 
like     a 

*oing  a  - 
just 
jloom   - 

A-A 

1/ 
long 
like 

ing 

so,     "Washed  in    the 
you,   Washed  in    the 
rose,  Washed  in    the 

-fepzzbfa — S=B= 

J'ff        1                 1>               ^ 

\j         i 

-^  "     b     1     ^          " 

*        \j 

1^1 

V                         V                    w 

V  V      *       *       *       y 

blood  of  the  Lamb,     I      have    my      tri  -  als    here  be  -  ITav, 

blood  of  the  Lamb,     I  mourned  and  prayed  till    I   got  through, 

blood  of  the  Lamb,  As    none    but    those  that   feel   it    knows, 


» # #- 

-9 — i 9- 


A N- 


H^liil 


J* 


Washed  in    the  blood  of    the  Lamb.  O      redeemed,  re-decmed, 


*L 


*  Attention  is  called  to  this  characteristic  manner  of  connecting  the  last  strain 
with  the  chorus  in  the  D.  C. 


jfrom  cbcrn  ©rabcgartr. 


1G9 


k  /  ^  s 


£=N 


r*-p 


3ES=S 


-    i      -    -     -     -    *   i 

Just  bo-bold  tbat  number,  Just  be-hold  that  number,  Just  be  - 


9?tt  * 


y 


P=U=t 


=£ 


^ 


±=:±=l=j 


s 


2#— ^#- 


^l[/  M  r 


3 


1.  Going  to 

2.  Going  to 
hold  tbat  num-ber  From  ev  -  e   -  ry    grave-yard.  <j  3.  Going  to 

4.  Going  to 
\5.  Going  to 


T#: 


*=£=£ 


si 


±=fc 


i^s 


3. 


meet 
meet 
meet 
m  •  t 
meet 


1 

the  brothers  there.  That  used  to 
the  sis  -  ters  there,  That  used  to 
the  preachers  there,  That  used  to 
the  mourners  there,  That  used  to 
the  Christians  there.  Tl  at  used  to 


v 


join 
join 
join 
join 
join 


in  prayer,  Go  - 
in  prayer,  &c. 
in  prayer,  &c. 
in  prayer,  &c 
in  prayer,  &e. 


mg 


BIT    u  It 


8  V 


iri 


/?.  a 


V    tX~ 


w 


up  thro'  great  trib-u  -  la  -  tion  From  ev  -  e  -  ry    grave-yard. 


iliS! 


170      fflljtlfcren,  toe  all  sijall  ie  Jfxzz. 


Chil-dren,  we  all   shall  be    free,  Chil-dren,  we  all   shall   be 


\Z—V—m hj gl 0— V-m 0 0-\-0 5 * 


free,  Children,  we  all   shall  be  free,  When  the  Lord  shall  appear. 

N      S     v     ,  +•     ■#-    ■#- 


PS 


SE 


■  SIS      -4- 


fettmrH 


* 


F 


~S — K — V 


1.  "We  want  no  cowards  in  our  band,  T! 
L_. — 0      p     m — 0— e  -r0— »— 0 — # 

g-^i  fr  !>">  I*  H     l|_    I 


1.  "We  want  no  cowards  in  our  band,  That  from  their  colors  fly,  "We 

M— ^m m m m      .   _ , tf =_  -<■ £ — 


-fe^ * N * P 


u   u 


z>.  c. 


call  for    val-iant-heart-ed  men,  That  are  not    a  -  fraid  to    die 


K£ 


9-b-\ 


.. —  w w  — w  — w — w — , w — 

*      U       U       U       P.      V.      P       P P P 


3] 


2.  "We  see  the  pilgrim  as  he  lies, 

"With  glory  in  his  soul ; 
To  Heaven  he  lifts  his  longing  eyes, 
And  bids  this  world  adieu. 

Cho.— Children,  we  all  shall  be  free,  &c. 

3.  Give  ease  to  the  sick,  give  sight  to  the  blind, 

Enable  the  cripple  to  walk  ; 
He'll  raise  the  dead  from  under  the  earth, 
And  give  them  permission  to  fly. 

Cho.— Children,  we  all  shall  be  free,  &c. 

*  The  words,  "On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand,"  are  sometimes  sung  to  this 
6  train. 


faF==E 


Uoll,  Jortan,  lioll. 


171 


3=t> 


Roll,  Jordan,   roll,     Roll,  Jordan,  roll,     I   want  to   go     to 


±1 


1 


hi  £  ^  j,  ^ £  .* £  ^ 

y —  *— i-F-i— W—  -y — f — i — — »~ 


P 


v — ; 


teM> 


B=E=g^g 


mrnmi 


Heav  -  en     when     I 

3=8 


die,       To      hear      Jor  -  dan      roll. 


9j±=*=*=t 


5^^: 


*JP=» 


I 


:2=Hi: 


-n — F 

-N— i- 


u' l — — L-  # — 0 — -Ls- :  —  * — • 


m^ 


# —       —  y —        — 0 — +--  ■  —    — — I — 0 —0.-1-0 

u    |-W-F=P-=g  '  [,     I     ■  I    ^  -   & 

Oh,  brothers,  you  ought  t'have  been  there,  Yes,  my    Lord  !   A 

N        I 
0 P  *  ,    P *- 


.•. 


1 


Z>.  (7. 


i 


^ 


-y y- 


S 


sit -ting     in      the    Kingdom,    To     hear     Jor-dan      roll. 


Bg^^^^=j^Etj==g=a 


2.  Oh,  preachers,  you  ought  t'have  been  there,  <fcc. 

3.  Oh,  sinners,  you  ought,  <fcc. 

4.  Oh,  mourners,  you  ought,  &c. 

5.  Oh,  seekers,  you  ought,  <tc. 

6.  Oh,  mothers,  you  ought,  &c. 

7.  Oh,  children,  you  ought,  <fec. 


172        ®urn  tacft  ^fjaraoij's  armg, 


Solo.    Moderate. 

— N — h-r- 


m 


f\     fr     ,S   -fn-K 


^•=£3 


Gwine  to  write  to  Mas  -  sa  Je  -  sus,  To  send  some  valiant  soldier, 
If  you  want  your  souls  converted,  You'd  better  be  a  -  praying, 
You      say  you  are    a    soldier,        Fighting  for  your  Saviour, 

When  the  children  were  in  bondage,  They  cried  unto  the  Lord, 
When    Mo-ses  smote  the  wa-ter,  The  children  all  passed  over, 
When  Pharaoh  crossed  the  water,  The  waters  came  to  -  gether, 


Chorus 


To  turn  back  Pharaoh's  aimy,  Hal-lo  -  lu  !  To  turn  back  Pharaoh" 
To  turn  back  Pharaoh's  army,  Hal-  le  -  lu  !  To  turn  back,  &c. 
To  turn  back  Pharaoh's  army,  Hal-  le  -  lu  !  To  turn  back,  &c. 
He  turned  back  Pharaoh's  army, Hal-lo  -  lu  !  He  turned  back,  Ac. 

And  turned  back  Pharaoh's  army,  Hal-le  -  lu  !  And  turned  back,  &c . 

And  drowned  ole  Pharaoh's  army.  Hal-le- lu  !  And  drowned  ole,  &c. 


* 


*:^ri  i=t 


9—*- 


^m 


&3: 


ar  -  my, 


Hal 


g^ 


0- 
0 

f 
1  •    -    Pi     -     jah! 


-N N Ps- 


w^mm 


To    turn  back  Pharaoh's 

0 0 *_ 


£j  i>  i  -rrt^pHH^^^ 


r,k=*. 


ar-my,  Hal  - 1  j  -  lu  !  To  turn  b  ck  Pharaoh's  ar  -my,  Hal  -  le 


M^EE^E 


v—Yv^v—v — v- 


jfr b N 


U * — , # 0 0 — L# 1 p N, 1 


lu    -   jah!    To  turn  back  Pharaoh's  ar  -  my,  Hal  -  le  -  lu 

*•        -0-         ~  rs  ^ 


I'm  a  ttoUtng. 


173 


1  HtU  i  fMl 


i 


/  * 


lm  ;i    roll-ing,  Fin  a    roll-ing,   I  in  a    roll  -  ing  thro' an  un  ■ 


friend-lv  world,  I'm    a     roll  -  ing,  I'm    a      roll  -  ing  thro'  an 


un  -  friend-lv  world. 


>,/_._ 


F^ 


r 


1.  O    brothers,  wont  you  help  me, 

2.  0      sis  -  ters,  wont  you  help  me, 

3.  O  preachers,  wont  you  help  me, 
V       S       s    *  fc 


-: 


-*=%- 


1 


0    brothers,  wont  you  help  me  to  pray  ?  O    brothers,  wont  you 

O     sis  -  ters,  wont  you  help  me  to  pray  ?  O     sis-ters,  &c. 

O  preachers,  wont  you  help  me  to  fight  ?  O  preachers,  &c. 

N  S    i  v     h     N     * 


B 


S 


^iH 


.^■/ 


13 


I 


•!. 


d.c. 


-fr—  0 


help   me,  Wont  you  h(  lp  me  in    the  service  of    the    Lord  ?  * 


3 


^     -g —  ^    *      V — i/      p    u      y< 1 — -0 


-Ni    ,, 


*  Return  to  the  beginning  in  exact  time. 


174      Bftrn't  mg  HorJ  xreltber  ttmizl. 


Sung  in  Unison. 

-£v — ^ *s- 


-N— 0- 


- 1 r 


# — # 


Did -n't     my  Lord    de  -  liv  -  er        Dan    -  iel,        D'liver 


¥-4- 

— «-#- 

N- 

— 0 — 

jr N-, 

Dan  -  iel,    d'liver  Dan -iel,    Did -n't  my  Lord    de  -  liv  -  er 

1st  Vebse. 


fcp 


-# — #- 


=s— # — «- 


e=* 


Dan  -  iel,    And  why  not     a      ev  -  e  -  ry     man  ?        He    de  - 


M^f 


£ 


*=£ 


ft 


^ 


liv  -  er'd    Dan-iel  from  the  li  -  on's  den,      Jo  -  nah  from  the 


i 


fc= 


E 


S: 


__^_ 


ft 


£=* 


bel  -  ly     of    the  whale,  And  the    He-brew  children  from  the 


1 1 F, 0- 


*=%■ 


1$=r^=X=%. 


£= 


I 


fie  -  ry      fur-nace,  And     why    not       ev  -  e  -  ry       man? 


1 


=£ 


?=«=? 


-K — #- 


s=g=£ 


Did  -  n't     my  Lord   de  -  liv  -  er         Dan  -  iel. 


D'liver 


^H  > 

-tv/H* 

r-h 

fc £ V_ 

^-K- 

^=5F& 

W—^ 

^*        * 

—0 0- 

-- 0— 

0       * 

Dan  -  iel,      d'liver    Dan-iel,    Did  -  n't  my  Lord  de  -  liv  -  er 
*  Go  on  without  pause,  leaving  out  two  beats  of  the  measure. 


1T5 


k=F- 


i 


—¥- 


*-b  g  r  n  m 


Dan  -  iel, 

2D    VERSE. 


And    why  not      a 


ev  -  e  -    ry      man? 


|^iS^^E^:ES^=^p 


Tlie  moon  run  down  in  a    purple-stream,  The  sun  for -bear  to 

D.  C.  "Didn't  my  Lord" 


:fc£ 


*—*- 


shine,  And  ev  -  e  -  ry  star     dis-ap-pear,  King  Jesus  shall  be  mine. 
3d  Verse. 


1-G—fT 1 1 K— | 

\&s9         •           * * *         •         0           *         * *    * R     - 

^ b»         P — v       I'       g       g         b       k       l<          # 

The     wind  blows  East,  and    tha      wind  blows  West,      It 


±3=£= 


^Fg 

-§==^3 


blows  like  the  judg-ment  day,    And    ev  -ery  poor   soul  that 

D.  C.  "Didnt  my  Lord." 

-0— 


nev-er    did      pray,     '11     be      glad      to     pray    that     day. 
4th  Verse. 


set      my     foot     on    the     Gos  -  pel     ship,  And  the 


ji 


ship     it      be  -  gin    to     sail,     It    land-ed    me     o-  ver    on 

D.  C.   "Didn't  my  I  And." 


-R---K~ 


-0 — 0 
V. — h 


-0^0-=.^ 


-b — £>- 


Ca-naan's  shore,  And  I'll    nev  -  er    come  back    a  -  ny    more. 


176 


m 


$'U  Ijear  nje  Crumpet  j=>ounTi. 


--N--A — !  - 
# — tf — #— 


You  may  bur-y  me     in    the  East,     You    may  bur-y    me 
^  -K— *-       3  ^ 


^E^EE^^E^E^^E^^^i 


in  the  West;  But  I'll  hear  the  trumpet  sound  In  that  morning. 


EEg- 


t=^ 


*  * 


In  that  morn-ing,  my  Lord,  How  I     long  to    go,     For    to 


i 


# 


=*.- 


i=t 


hear      the   trum-pet     sound,     In      that        morn  -   ing. 


2.  Father  Gabriel  in  that  day, 
He'll  take  wings  and  fly  away, 
For  to  hear  the  trumpet" sound* 

In  that  morning. 
You  may  bury  him  in  the  East, 
You  may  bury  him  in  the  West; 
But  he'll  hear  the  trumpet  sound, 
In  that  morning. 
Clio. — In  that  morning,  &e. 


3.  Good  old  christians  in  that  day, 
They'll  take  wings  and  fly  away,&c. 

Clw. — In  that  morning,  &c. 

4.  Good  old  preachers  in  that  day, 
They'll  take  wings  and  fly  away,&c. 

Cko. — In  that  morning,  &c. 

5.  In  that  dreadful  Judgment  day, 
I'll  take  wings  and  fly  away,  &c. 

Cko. — In  that  morning,  &,e. 


*  Repeat  the  music  of  the  first  strain  for  all  the  verses  but  the  first. 


3£ise,  Jftmirnm*.3 


^-^f"— 


■^=rz- 


£2E 


$=zfc 


1.  itise, 

2.  Rise, 

3.  Kise, 

4.  Bise, 


mourners, 
seekers, 
sinners, 

brothers, 


rise,  mourners,  O  can't  you  rise  and 

rise,  seekers,  O  can't  you  rise,  &c. 

rise,  sinners,  O  can't  you  rise,  &c. 

rise,  brothers,  O  can't  you  rise,  <£c. 


Fine. 


iH^i 


tell,  What  the  Lord  has  done  for  you.  Yes,  he's  taken  my  feet  out  of  tl  e 

D.C. 


m 


£ 


mi  -  ry  clay,  And  he's  placed  them  on  the  right  side  of  my  Father. 

*  This  hymn  is  sung  with  great  unction  while  "seekers"  are  going  forward  to 
the  altar. 


$'bc  just  come  from  djc  jfountaut.     177 


# 1 — i — — £ 


1.  I've  just  come  from  the  fountain,    I've  just  come  from  the 

2.  Been  drinking  from  the  fountain,   Bj^u  drinking,  «ie. 


fountain,  Lord!  I've  just  come  from  the  fountain,  His  name's  so 


± 


yjr-t 


Chorus. 

S      ft      'K         ^     .      h       I 


-•^-  C?" 


=*=*: 


9      £~ te"r 


fm 


sweet.      0  brotfier-,     I     love  Je  -  sus,    0   brothers,    I     love 

>S      fc      S         -^     w       <S       1  N      K 

fr  17   £?  -«-r-r  -    ^^  j  .-J5-A 


i=k 


J- 


5^ 


2* 


Je  -  sus,     O  brothers,    1      lovo  Je  -  sus,  His  name's  so  sweet 

S       N       S         ^  S  v 

_> | T7.F  T7    f>  4  ,f   T    T    £j I  ,  1    ,. 


3.  I  found  freo  grace  at  the  fountain, 
I  found  free  grace,  <fec. 

Cho.—O  preachers,  I  love  Jesus,  <kc. 

4.  My  soul's  sot  free  at  the  fountain, 
My  soul'*  set  free,  &c 

Cho.  — O  sinners,  I  love  Jesus,  &c. 

*  The  Tenors  usually  sing  the  melody  from  this  point. 


12 


178 


©tome  to  rtoe  up  in  tfje  OHjarujt. 

Solo. 


1  '  -*   * 


Chorus. 

N       S 

K— -K- 


;l=f: 


1.  Gwine  to  ride  up   in   th3   chariot,    Soon-pr     in    the  morning. 

Ji    Ji    2     .*_*__£ 


S=B=0=3= 


^ 


Solo. 


Choeus. 


§% 


hope  I'll    join     the  band.       O  Lord,  have  mer-cy    on    me, 

J.  J?  .=;  £  J*    s 
» — »- 


1 


S 


^^p 


O       Lord,  have   mer-cy     on      me-; 


0      Lord,     have 

J.    f    as 


179 
d.  a 


nier-cy 


A 


on 
N 


mo, 

S 


And   I    hope  I'll       join 


the 


band. 


pli^E 


li^ii 


2.  Gwine  to  meet  my  brother  there,  Sooner,  <tc. 

G'Ao. — O  Lord,  have  mercy,  A:c. 

3.  Gwine  to  chatter  with  the  Angels,  Sooner,  <fcc. 

Cho. — 0  Lord,  have  mercy,  &c. 

4.  Gwine  to  meet  my  massa  Jesus,  Sooner,  &c. 

Cho. — O  Lord,  have  mercy,  &c. 

5.  Gwine  to  walk  and  talk  with  Jesus,  Sooner,  &c. 

Cho.—O  Lord,  have  mercy,  &c. 


Unison. 


WLc'll  ine  in  tijc  J^teltr, 


j^^- — 


£=fe 


J=B 


1.    0    what  do    you    say,    seekers,       0     what  do    you    say, 


r.  lg_E-4*. 


3l 


seekers  ;  0  what  do  you  say,  seekers,    A-bout  the  Gospel  war  ? 


-G-b 


V        N 


— yy ^ — 


J1   Jill     <=g 


# — *^ 

And     I     will     die       in     the  Held,  Will  die       in     the  field ; 
' f-'-f—r* — *-•—,-* * « * ^-^ — r* « *- 


ilgill 


Will     die 


?       •       • 

2.  0  what  do  you  say,  brothers,  &c . 

3.  O  what  do  you  say,  christians,  &c. 
L  0  what  do  you  say,  preachers,  <fcc. 


: 


in     the  field,    Fm     on    my  jour-ney  home. 

mi 


r  Mr  C-   T     H-i    U     P-l-B    B    E 


180        CTijtltrren,  gou'll  ie  called  on. 


Amc-fir K K 1 * * ' — 

-    _.N  ..  _fc  ..     \      \      ^       ^3 

^      *-f*          » ftM        * 

p 12 £ — £' —    '    J 

— j — l~# 0 0 « * — 3 

1.  Chil-dren,  you'll  be  called  on  To  march  in  the  field    of 

2.  Preachers,  you'll  be  called  on  To  march  in  the  field,  &c. 

3.  Sin-ners,  you'll  be  called  on  To  march  in  the  field,  &c. 

4.  Seek-ers,    you'll  be  called  on  To  march  in  the  field,  &c. 

5.  Christians,  you'll  be  called  on  To  march  in  the  field,  &c. 


bat- tie,  When  this  war -fa  re'll    be      end-ed,  Hul-le    -  lu. 
Choeus. 


*=fc 


i 


When  this  war  -  fare'll  be   end  -  ed,     I'm    a     sol-dier    of       the 

.  a 


mm 


ju-bi-lee,  This  warfare'll  be  ended,  I'm  a  soldier  of  the  cross. 


@tbe  me  Jesus, 


W  /.  J^z 


=*=* 


1.  O    when  I      come     to  die,      O     when  I    come  to    die,     O 

2.  In  the  morning  when   I    rise,  In  the  morning  when  I    rise,  &c. 

3.  Dark  midnight  was     my  cry,  Dark  midnight  was  my  cry,  &c. 

4.  I    heard  the   mourner   say,      I    heard  the  mourner  say,  &c. 


i 


i 


when  I     come   to      die— Give  me      Je   -    sus,    Give  me     Je 


f 


na 


zc 


£ 


tt 


bus,  Give  me  Je-  sus,  You  may  have  all  this  world," Give  me  Je-sus. 


57i)c  ivocks  anti  tijc  Mountain* 

Jw_J N 


181 


»  .  d '  '  d t-.-w— w — w *— Sr — #---*-^. — 3P 


Oh,   the  rocks  and  the  mountains  shall  all  flee     a-  way,  And 


biMA  ?•  $.  \hHhHr+-t~t 


3   «  .     ; 


gfe 


you    shall  have     a     new    hid  -  ing  -  place    that     day. 

—0 0 0-  ' 9 9 0 9 — r—0 m &- 


s 


0 — w — & — 

fFFF 


mm 


-0 — 0 — 0- 


*--&- 


¥  •  • 

1.   Seek  -  er,       seek  -  er,      give     up  your  heart  to    God,     And 


9:? 


-JEE: 


f    »     r~l  ■    i    i  __ 


d.  a 


2.  Doubter,  doubter,  give  up  your  heart  to  God, 

And  you  shall  have  a  new  hiding-place  that  day. 
Oh,  the  rocks,  fcc. 

3.  Mourner,  mourner,  give  up  your  heart  to  God,  &c. 

4.  Sinner,  sinner,  give  up  your  heart  to  God,  &c. 

5.  Sister,  sister,  give  up  your  heart  to  God,  &c. 

6.  Mother,  mother,  give  up  your  heart  to  God,  <kc. 

7.  Children,  children,  give  up  your  heart  to  God,  &c. 


182 


©o  iroton,  Mows. 


M 


s 


-#=?- 


■&=. 


-0-      -0-   =&-     "#■        -!$*-•  -#- 


1.  When  Is  -  rael  was    in    E-gypt's  land  :  Let  my  people  go, 


^m 


a 


*— •■- 


i 


m 


& 


3E 


#=* 


t=f- 


1 


t        t 


Oppress'd  so  hard  they  could  not  stand,  Let  my  peo-ple    go. 


m^ 


*—? 


■p-jfi—it—*- 


~—\ — r 


M 


*=&. 


-&-*- 


TJZ. 


m 


i=\ 


§si 


Go  down,    Mo  -  ses,      Way  down    in       E  -  gypt  land, 


t= 


4=T 


-    Jl'  . 


i 


Bz 


» 


:p=^z 


T" 


--+-&- 


m 


-#-       -*■      K-0-      -0- 


m 


m 


Tell      ole 

r-i    r 


Pha  -  roh, 

!  I-" 


I  \ 

Let    my     peo  -  pie      go. 


^ 


# — &- 


^ 


]] 


2.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  bold  Moses  said, 

Let  my  people  go  : 
If  not  I'll  smite  your  first-born  dead, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  &c. 

3.  No  more  shall  they  in  bondage  toil, 

Let  my  people  go  ; 
Let  them  come  out  with  Egypt's  spoil, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  &c. 


183 


4.  When  Israel  out  of  Egypt  came, 

I.  ;  my  people  go; 
And  lefl  the  proud  oppressive  laud, 
Let  my  people  go. 

Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

5.  0,  'twas  |  dark  and  dismal  night, 

Let  my  people  ^o; 

Wh-ii  Moeea  led  the  Israelites, 
Let  my  people  go. 

Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

6.  'Twos  good  old  Moses  and  Aaron,  too. 

Let  my  people  go; 
'Twastiiey  that  led  the  armies  through, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

7.  The  Lord  told  Moses  what  to  do, 

Let  my  people  go; 
To  lead  fit  children  of  Israel  through, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

8.  Ocome  along,  Moses,  you'll  not  get  lost, 

Let  my  people  go; 
Streteli  out  your  rod  and  come  across, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

9.  As  Israel  stood  by  the  water  side, 

Let  my  people  go; 
At  tlie  command  of  God  it  did  divide, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

10.  When   they  had    reached   the  other 

shore, 
Let  my  people  go; 
They  sang  a  song  of  triumph  o'er, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

11.  Pharaoh  said  he  would  go  across, 

Let  my  people  go; 
But  Pharaoh  and  his  host  were  lost, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

12.  O,  Moses,  the  cloud  shall  cleave  the 

way, 
Let  my  people  go; 
A  tire  by  (right,  a  shade  by  day, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

13.  You'll  not  get  lost  in  the  wilderness, 

Let  liiv  people  ;_ro: 
Witn  a  lighted  caudle  in  your  breast, 
Let  m  v  people  go. 
Go  dowu,  Moses,  Ac. 

14.  Jordan  shall  stand  up  like  a  wall, 

Let  my  people  go; 
And  tile  walls  of  Jericho  shall  fall, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Mo*es,  Ac. 


15.  Your  foes  shall  not  before  you  stand, 

Lei  my  people  go; 
And  you'll  possess  lair  Caiman's  laud, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

16.  'Twas  just  about  in  harvest  time, 

Let  my  people  go; 
When  Joshua  led  his  host  divine, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  dowu,  Moses,  Ac. 

17.  0  let  us  all  from  bondage  flee, 

Let  my  people  go; 
And  let  us  all  in  Christ  be  free, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  dowu,  Moses,  Ac. 

18.  We  need  not  always  weep  and  moan. 
Let  my  people  go; 

And  wear  these  slavery  chains  forlorn. 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

This  world's  a  wilderness  of  woe, 

Let  my  people  go; 
O,  let  us  on  to  Canaan  go, 

Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

What  a  beautiful  morning  that  will  be, 

Let  my  people  go; 
When  time  breaks  up  in  eternity, 

Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

■21.  0  bretheren,  bretheren,  you'd  better 
be  engaged. 
Let  my  people  go; 
For  the  devil  he's  out  on  a  big  ramp- 
age, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

22.  The  Devil  he  thought  he  had  me  fast. 

Let  my  people  go; 
But  1  thought  I'd  break  his  chains  at 
last, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

23.  0  take  yer  shoes  from  off  yer  feet, 

Let  my  people  go; 
And  walk  into  the  golden  street, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

24.  I'll  tell  you  what  I  likes  de  best, 

Let  my  people  go; 
It  is  the  shouiiug  Methodist, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 

25.  I  do  believe  without  a  doubt, 

Let  my  people  go; 
That  a  Christian  has  the  right  to  shout, 
Let  my  people  go. 
Go  down,  Moses,  Ac. 


184 


Been  a  Histening. 


-is 


s-F— fc — b — * *  — — w — ^ — I         ^ — s-1] 


Been 


lis  -  ten  -  ing     all       the  night  long,   Been     a 


=:ip=p=p: 


y — ^ 


& 


tf* 


lis  -  ten  -  ing 


all 


--«■ 


the      night      long,       Been       a 


Fine. 


-K — K- 


pa 


lis-ten-ing  all      the  nightlong,  To  hear  some  sinner 
.0 ft c sr_r# _ 


pray. 


^    S  ti  D    EJEJE 


I 


*t* 


>,__K__N. 


iE^± 


N-#- 


£==^ 


1.  Some  say  that  John  the  Baptist  was  nothing  but    a    Jew,  But  the 

2.  Go  read  the  third  of  Matthew,  And  read  the  chapter  thro',    It 


P§: 


V-V— V- 


2).  C.  "  ^een  a  listening. 


A- 


I 


Ho  -  ly     Bi  -  ble  tells  us      he     was      a      preach-er      too. 
is    the  guide  for  Christians,  and  tells    them  what   to       do. 


P 


Keep  mc  from  shifting  Doton.       185 

Oh,        Lord,     Oh,     my  Lord !     Oh.      my  good  Lord !  Keep 

> —   jS  /T\ 


j 


L  L  h-  M 


0. 


FlKE.    f 


yfe»      ,         >N      v    :Fz====Tr=¥~F"* — * — * — ^ 


from  smk-ing     do™.    J  J-  J      ,td{     3"™    wh,at    X  , 
(  2.  I      look     up  yonder,  and 


m—  # «-     . 


mean    to       do  :      Keep  me        from  sink-ing     down  :     I 
what  do  I    bee  ;     Keep  me        from  sink  -  ing     down  :     I 

fr>       N       N         ,N 


■ffi*- 


■ 0— 


d.  a 


igiliffip 


m 


mean  to     go     to    heav-en    too  ;  Keep  me  from  sinking  down. 
6ee  the  angels  beckoning  to  me  ;  Kaepme  from  sinking  down. 

-„JL  6 


9^    j>  ^  /  j»  ftj 


3.  When  I  was  a  mourner  just  like  you  ; 

Keep  me  from  sinking  down  : 
I  mourned  and  mourned  till  I  got  through  ; 
Keep  me  from  sinking  down. 
Oh,  Lord,  <fcc. 

4.  I  bless  the  Lord  I'm  gwine  to  die  ; 

Keep  me  irom  sinking  down  : 
I'm  gwine  to  judgment  by-and-by  ; 
Keep  me  from  sinking  down. 
Oh,  Lord,  «fcc. 


186        jpm  a  trailing  to  tfje  ©rabe. 

Chorus. 

-I c — 


I'm    a    trav'ling  to     the  grave,  I'm     a    trav'ling    to    the 


9-1—1 — — i — vd 

— H — I -?_-  0 , h — I 0 — J — »-v— i— 


•V^    4 


grave,  my  Lord,  I'm  a  trav'ling  to  the  grave,  For  to  lay  this  bod-y 
Fine.  / 


pliip 


V—it 


1 


down.   1.  My  Mas-sa  died   a  shouting,   Singing  glo-ry    hal  -  b  - 

d.  a 


2 


>: 


=K=h 


=ps; 


m 


lu  -  jah,The  last  word  he  said  to  me,  Was  a-bout  Je  -  ru  -  sa-lem. 

2.  My  missis  died  a  shouting,  &c. 

3.  My  brother  died  a  shouting,  &c. 

4.  My  sister  died  a  shouting,  &c. 


JttanB  SHjousantr  ©one, 


Plaintively. 

k 

jJ-JV^-                -      m       m 

i p |S 1 ■ 

-    -h 1        \  - 

/w^s  r   r   r   r 

-#-.—/ , 

■I — J  *    *    j — 

"v        o     !.        ,       N       Li 

* 

j     j  .  i  0     0  .    i 

»/                w*       1/       "       "                           * 
1.  No  more  auc-tion  block  for    me, 

9        m                      0    . 
No  more,     no  more  ; 

1 

*-).,  >   4                 — 

.    »       »  • 

1 

^  7  bft 

— h h 

■-0 — 0  '  H 

L_^ ^ 1 

HH — ^ 

s 


it=t 


£ 


^ 


£> 


1 


No  more  auction  block  for  me,     Ma  -  ny    thousand    gone. 


§& 


EE 


#=fc 


2.  No  more  peck  o'  corn  for  me,  &c. 

3.  No  more  driver's  lash  for  me,  &c. 

4.  No  more  pint  o'  salt  for  me,  &c. 

5.  No  more  hundred  lash  for  me,  &c. 

6.  No  more  mistress'  call  for  me,  &c. 


Steal  atoajj. 


1&7 


Steal    a  -  way,  steal     a  -  way,  steal   a  -  way   to    Je  -  sus  ! 

,N       S      S      S 


0 


Fine. 


'  tf       L>       U 

ere. 

Hi 


Steal  a-way,  steal  a-way  home,  I  hain't  got  long  to  stay  here 

-h       >        N         * 


*-£ 


— »- 
—l — 


* — #-: 


1.  My    Lord      calls  me,     He    calls  me  by   the  thunder ;   The 

2.  Green  trees  are  bending,  Poor  sin-ners   stand   trembling;  The, &c. 

-h         -V  ,N       -h        '  V  lN        fc       :N        K         Is        ■ 


- 


g 


£-4^6- 


A 


2>.  C. 


trumpet  sounds  it    in  my  soul :  I  hain't  got  long  to  stay 

M 


3.  My  Lord  calls  me, 

He  calls  me  by  the  lightning  ; 
The  trumpet  sounds  it  in  my  soul : 
I  hain't  got  long  to  stay  here. 
Cho.  —  Steal  away,  &c. 

4.  Tombstones  are  bursting, 
Poor  sinners  are  trembling  ; 

The  trumpet  sounds  it  in  my  soul : 
I  hain't  got  long  to  stay  here. 
Cho.—  Steal  away,  <fcc. 


188 


W*  tf)e  Horir  nf  HorTrs. 


e 


:=1= 


s 


www  ww  v 

Why,  He's  the  Lord    of    lords,  And  the   King  of    kings,  Why 


-g—p 0 0 # 


£- 


mn 


^— y- 


-N-- S 


» * ; '. 


i — 3— 


--N--N- 
— N — — 


P 


*     • 


Je  -  sus  Christ  is  the  first  and  the  last,  No  one  can  work  like  Him. 

*      ■    0      • 0— 0- 


r  t>  i/  .i»    f    b  B 


B* 


1.  I    will  not  let   you  go,  my  Lord  :  No  one  can  work  like  Him,  Un  ■ 

N      v      k.  .        V       i  \ 


h  J>   r>   ,*   N   h  ^ 


s=s 


-;-•= 


*_*. 


i 


w1 w1 h  —  L- y *■ 1 


a 


Si 


til    you  come  and  bless  my  soul,   No    one  can  work  like  Him. 
U — 


t  t  r  f 


feE 


2.  For  Paul  and  Silas  bound  in  jail, 

No  one  can  work  like  Him  ; 
The  Christians  prayed  both  night  and  day, 
No  one  can  work  like  Him. 

Cho.  —Why,  He's  the  Lord  of  lords,  &c. 

3.  I  wish  those  mourners  would  believe, 

No  one  can  work  like  Him, 
That  Jesus  is  ready  to  receive, 
No  one  can  work  like  Him. 
Cho.—  Why,  He's  the  Lord  of  lords,  &c. 


m 


JuUgmrnt  Dag  is  rolling  Ivountr.     189 

—IT '      J 1— -I  J- *- ! to-j K — iir 1 ^n 

:  i  f  *i  li    i     li       i    HTTHng1?^    i 


Judgment,  Judgment,  Judgment  day  is  roll-ing  around;  Judgment, 


ml      II     I — 14- 


-fc¥^=iz 

/  1     \    M   1  ll-tr-K 

-~h        h--f*  »     " 

&?       =^p_f     {'lift-Hi    4\4-+r++-f  ^ 

Judgment,  0  how  I   long  to     go.    1.  I've  a  good  old  mother  in  tne 

£}: — I—a?—* 

p*>  1  ■  1   1 

fe^^cir-ii  y  J 



i4L*    .        N  ■        «-] 

__* , sj F4_| , N — n_j 

:#*? — h— f : 4  »- 

— i 1 H — i— ^ 1 p — PH 

V-l/                     W         9         9   m     . 

v      9                 — •    y            v  \    v 

heav-en,    my    Lord,    How   I       long     to    go  there  too,  I've  a 

C\*                                                    III                        1 

J'-                                  Hs — U  .    m  .    b 

_l 1 1 ^ 

j=^— j? [_p — #_• — p_« — #_ 

V      \          \-        V 

good  old  mother  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord,  0  how  I  long  to 


go- 


9: 


^iiiiil 


t 

2.  There's  no  backsliding  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord, 

How  I  long  to  go  there  too, 
There's  no  backsliding  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord, 
O  how  I  long  to  go. 
Cho. — Judgment,  &c. 

3.  King  Jesus  sitting  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord, 

How  I  long  to  go  there  too, 
King  Jesus  sitting  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord, 
0  how  I  long  to  go. 
Cho. — Judgment,  &c. 

4.  There's  a  big  camp  meeting  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord, 

How  I  long  to  go  there  too, 
There's  a  big  camp  meeting  in  the  heaven,  my  Lord, 
O  how  I  long  to  go. 
Cho.     Judgment,  <fcc. 


190 


Unison. 


E\)Z  ©ospel  Stain, 


'0' 

1 .  The      gos  -  pel  train  is       com-ing,       I  hear   it    just    at 

2.  I        hear  the  bell  and    whis-tle,      The  com-ing  round  the 

3.  No  sig  -  nal   for  an  -  oth  -  er    train     To  fol  -  low    on    the 


iipimi 


s^s 


N-K 


3* 


--#— & 


hand,    I  hear  the  car  wheels  moving,  And  rumbling  thro'  the  land, 
curve ;  She's  playing  all  her  steam  and  pow'r  And  straining  every  nerve, 
line,     0 ,  sinner,  you're  forever  lost,  If  once  you'  re  left  be  -  bin  d . 


i 


Get  on 
_# *_< 


board, 


chil-dren,  Get  on 


—  0-  -0 0 1 0-,  A 

^-^ 1 0 0  T-1 

trd,  chil-dren,  Get    on 

t-rf ,  §    t    »U 


N — V 


lst.     |  2d. 


mm 


board,  children,  For   there's  room  for    ma  -  ny    a    more.  more. 


™"  rj 


m 


m 


% 
itt 


4.  This  is  the  Christian  banner, 

The  motto's  new  and  old, 
Salvation  and  Repentance 
Are  burnished  there  in  gold. 

Cho.  —Get  on  board,  children,  &c. 

5.  She's  nearing  now  the  station, 

0,  sinner,  don't  be  vain, 
But  come  and  get  your  ticket, 
And  be  ready  for  the  train. 

Cho.— Get  on  board,  children,  <fcc 

6.  The  fare  is  cheap  and  all  can  go, 

The  rich  and  poor  are  there, 
No  second-class  on  board  the  train, 
No  difference  in  the  fare. 
Cho. — Get  on  board,  children,  &c. 


191 


7.  There's  Moses,  Noah  and  Abraham, 

And  all  the  prophets,  too, 
Our  friends  in  Christ  are  all  on  board, 
O,  what  a  heavenly  crew. 

Cho. — Get  on  board,  children,  <fcc. 

8.  We  soon  shall  reach  the  station, 

O,  how  we  then  shall  sing, 
"With  all  the  heavenly  army, 
We'll  make  the  welkin  rin^, 

Cho.     Get  on  board,  children,  <fec. 

9.  We'll  shout  o'er  all  our  sorrows, 

And  sing  forever  more, 
With  Christ  and  all  his  army, 
On  that  celestial  shore. 

Cho.  —  Get  on  board,  children,  &c. 

£1)inc,  g»f)ttw. 


-5 


_i Cj ! 


Shine,  shine,  I'll  meet  you  in     thj  morning,  Shine,  shine,  I'll 

V 


meet  yon  in  the  morning,  Shine,  shine,  I'll  meet  you  in  the  morning, 


I  ij1   , 


5B 


o 


Oh!  my  soul's  going  to  shine,  shine,  Oh!  my  souls  going  to  shine,  shine. 

ft  .  .  _  » > , ^ ■ 1 1 K \__fs_ 


ft  m  r 


d=zfe 


— i  - — £ 

0.-0       0 


1.  I'm  going  to  sit  at  the  wel-come-ta  -  ble,  I'm  going  to  sit  at  the 

— !        j    pi h — S    h         — N- 


■9- •-*—*— 


wel-come  ta  -  ble,    I'm  going  to  sit     at     the  wel-come  ta  -  ble. 

D.C. 

h    .M    »        ,j 


.9  =_j 


:z?~ 


Oh!  my  soul's  going  to  shine,  shine,  Oh!  my  soul's  going  to  shine,  shine. 

2.  I'm  going  to  tell  God  about  my  trial,  &c. 
Oh !  my  soul's  going  to  shine,  <fec. 

Cho. — Shine,  shine,  Ac. 

3.  I'm  going  to  walk  all  about  that  city,  <kc. 
Oh  !  my  soul's  going  to  shine,  <tc. 

Cho. — Shine,  shine,  &c. 


192 


©IB  Jcfjip  of  %ion. 


&J 


=t 


?st 


Pi* 


3 


f^^     ;  ^^1  i  r  f     ,*     '      ' 

What  ship     is  that  a  sail-ing,  Hal-le  - 

'Tis    the        old  ship  of  Zi  -  on,    Hal  -  le  - 

Do    you  think  that  she  is  a  -  ble,  Hal  -  le  - 


lu 
hi 
lu 

jSc. 


Repeat  twice  for  first  verse. 


m 


fZM 


jah,  What  ship  is  that  a 
jah,  'Tis  the  old  ship  of 
jah,      Do    you  think  that  she    is 


-ter 


>       # — m — fr — *_   * — * — # 

11  L  L  E 1^^ 


sail-ing,  Hal-le  -  lu. 
Zi  -  on,  Hal-le  -  lu. 
a  -  ble,  Hal-le  -   lu. 


I 


3:1 


Do      you 

i  i 

_4 £_ 


think   that     she 


J__ 


ble, 


For 


m 


to 


^B 


glo  -  ry,  Hal  -  le  -  lu. 

.m « m p  .  a- 


— » — # — m— 
ill1 

In  singing  the  last  two  verses  the  music  is  not  to  be  repeated. 

2.  She  has  landed  many  a  thousand,  Hallelujah, 
She  has  landed  many  a  thousand,  Hallelu, 
She  has  landed  many  a  thousand, 

And  will  land  as  many  a  more.     Oh  glory,  Hallelu. 

3.  She  is  loaded  down  with  angels,  Hallelujah, 
She  is  loaded  down  with  angels,  Hallelu, 
And  King  Jesus  is  the  Captain, 

And  he'li  carry  us  all  home.     Oh  glory,  Hallelu. 


la  tijc  Ivibcr  of  Soman, 


193 


R     3 


1.  In    the  riv  -  er     of    Jor-dan  John  baptized,  How  I  long  to 


^* 


i; 


B 


pi 


be    bap-tized ;  In     the    riv-er     of    Jor-dan  J  >hn  bap-tized, 


^ 


£=?-&=%=?: 


^4=m 


To   the  dy  -  ing  Lamb.      Pray  on,      pray  on,      pray  on,      ye 


m 


0 &-- 


fa    w 


g 


ts 


I=g5 


3TTT 


a 


TT 


+ # — ^==:M  gz:=#-f— 3-h*-. 


mourning  souls,  Pray  on,    pray  on,      nn-to     the  dy-ing  Lamb. 


m 


.*=!- 


1A    Jt.      _22_ 


£: 


HH4'^Hi"-| 


2.  We  baptize  all  that  come  by  faith, 

How  I  long  to  be  baptized  ; 
We  baptize  all  that  come  by  faith, 
To  the  dying  Lamb. 
Cho. — Pray  on,  Ac. 

3.  Here's  another  one  come  to  be  baptized, 

How  I  long  to  be  baptized  ; 
Here's  anothf-r  one  to  be  baptized, 
To  the  dying  Lamb. 
Cho. — Pray  on,  Ac. 

13 


194 


ffigae'U  statrtr  tije  Storm. 


Hzp-b: 


=-2--»— F^^^ M1^      M  — N-p^^l=d^43pd73q 


Oil!  stand  the  storm,  it  won't  be  long,  We'll  anchor  by-and-by, 
Jh_  -0-'     -0-  -0-'     -0-    ♦/    +.+.•+.+-+-'+-+-&.. 


rfr~2  I    1 1      u  w 


:s-f 


>         i 


t*    i       >     I— H 1 


4-— I h=;  Kl    !       -fi—l  1    h—l--HSg 

J?    4  '—*—* J-N-t— g-^j K~p» — #  '~''t~±~A 


ii 


Stand  the  storm,  it  won't   be  long,  We'll  an-chor  by  -  and-by. 


L 0- 


'#—f- 


mmmmMm 


m 


AN 


2  -: *= 


9: 


1.  My  ship    is    on     the    o  -  cean,  We'll  anchor  by-and-by,      My 

I 

1 — 


*4= 


ship     is    on        the    o  -  cean,  We'll  an-chor     by  -   and-by. 
/"j     JS    P      K     I       1  -      -  - 


m 


b    L_  ! 


h^mis 


2.  She's  making  for  the  kingdom, 

We'll  anchor,  &c 

3.  I've  a  mother  in  the  kingdom, 

We'll  anchor,  &c. 


I'm  so  (Slat. 


195 


*4    i      1 

>-4— * — * 


3-r-H= 


^ 


0 


S  : 


=*i 


I'm      so      glad,     I'm      so      glad,      I'm      so     glad     there's 


— .       — .       .*--         +.       ^~                    -m-       -«_       — -         .*. 
^•*T  — * » »—  b »-      * 


azzfzz=pt=f=i=±t 


-N N N N- 


m 


no    dy  -   ing  there.    1.  I'll      tell  you  how   I  found  the  Lord, 


m 


n  » 

jy 

S h fc 

— &— 

N PS— 

=N 

ffn      ^ 

i     g~* — #* 

— ^ — 1 

1 1 1 

V-  W 

#~ 

0     *        m 

No 

JL 

• 
dy    • 

JL 

1 

■    ing      there,       With 

a 

hung    down 

head 

£v^ 

5     • 

T'ff           » 

»                             «f 

V 

•* 

_y  *           •   - 

•                             / 

\                       i 

1 y 

, 

-v— 

tf-f 

^ 

K 

K 

— h~ 

D.C. 

*r- 

— 0  — 

1 

—  e 

0 

- — 0 

K— 

I 

-* 

— ^ 

and 

ach  - 

ing 

heart, 

1 # 

V 

No 

JL 

—5 — 

-    ing 

1 
there. 

0 

1 

¥ 

5? 

• 

U 

# 

— it — 

^ 

s 

t         5 

=f= 

P — 

p — 

— i 

I  hope  I'll  meet  my  brother  there. 

No  dying  there, 
That  used  to  join  with  me  in  prayer, 

No  dying  there. 

Cho.  —I'm  so  glad,  Ac. 

I  hope  I'll  meet  the  preacher  there, 

No  dying  there, 
That  used  to  join  with  me  in  prayer, 

No  dying  there. 

Cfio.—Tm  so  glad,  &c. 


196 


fitome,  let  us  all  go  Soton, 


apn^- — H ^ vf-^— I — f 


-V-H 


=3 


1.  As    I     went  down  in     the    val-ley  to  pray,  Studying  a- bout  that 

2.  I       think    I    hear    the  sinner  say,  Come,' let's  go  in  the  val- 

3.  I        think    I    hear    the  mourner  say,  Come,  let's  go  in  the  val  ■ 


i 


¥ 


-0j       J 


#— &- 


3=e^-: 


0— * 


good  old  way;  You  shall  wear  the  starry  crown,  Good  Lord,  show  me  the  way. 
ley  to  pray;  You  shall  wear  the  starry  crown,  Good  Lord,  show  me  the  way. 
ley  to  pray;  You  shall  wear  the  starry  crown,  Good  Lord,  show  me  the  way. 


I 


=£ 


By  -  and  -  by     we'll   all     go  down,   all     go  down,   all     go  down, 


By  -  and-by  we'll  all     go  down,  Down  in    the  valley    to    pray. 


lion's  ffiljtlTfren. 


4r 


-*— 


:^: 


i=»=: 


&: 


Oh  !  Zi  -  on's  children  com-ing    a  -  long,  Com-ing    a  -  long, 


=J= 


d      f      I  *  I        ! *      d    '  "       "       * ^^ 

Com-ing    a  -  long,    O      Zi  -  on's  children   com-ing    a  -  long, 


m 


i.  i 

Talk  -  ing       a  -  bout     the     wel  -   come     day.        1 2.  Oh ! 

3.    I 


I 


$=*=. 


£ 


-&- 


hail    my    moth-er    in     the  morn -ing,    Com-ing      a  -  long, 
don't  you   want  to  live    up   yon  -  der,    Com-ing,  &c. 
think  they       are      might- y    hap  -  py,     Com-ing,  &c. 


197 


XT1? N— 

com  -  ing       a 

-  long,     I 

^ — » — pa  r- 

bail     my      moth  -  er 

f  ^ =1=1 

-b — * 

in       the 
— 1 5 

Ife'        L           [  " 

— * — * — »- 

*-^-#       ^          * 

J    *     II 

mom  -  ing,      Talk-ing    a  -  bout     the  wel  -  come      day. 

©i) !   |^0lP  ILotH. 


side     sit    down,      Done  with  the    sin      and     sor  -  row. 

2.  What  a  glorious  morning  that  will  be, 

Done  with  the  sin  and  sorrow  ; 
Our  friends  and  Jesus  we  will  see, 
Done  with  the  sin  and  :  orrow. — Cho. 

3.  Oh  shout,  you  Christians,  you're  gaining  ground, 

Done  with  the  sin  und  sorrow  ; 
"We'll  shout  old  Satan's  kingdom  down, 
Done  with  the  sin  and  sorrow.  —  Clio. 

4.  I  soon  shall  reach  that  golden  shore, 

Done  with  the  sin  and  sorrow  ; 
And  sing  the  songs  we  sang  before, 
Done  with  the  sin  and  sorrow.  -  Cho. 


198 


EJjts  ©Itr  <Etme  Meltgtcm 


**=£=* 


-*-* 


i 


-« #-v— N 

# 0.-0- 


Oh !  this  old  time  re  -  li  -  gion,  This  old  time  re  -  li  -  gion,  This 


cj-M  I   Ml*   I*  •  8  iL  y    i*  r> — »>-=->*— i-i- 


[-g"# 1 * KH 

N      i         v      s 

i — hs — K h h- 

^t5 # 0Z\ — * — 

1      J       ^    -5- 

K            -J          K 

-0 0  j* *~V 9 

0 0~. — *-. — w— 

-# — :- 

\J                                       fcf                                0        £ 

old    time     re  -  li  -  gion,    It      is    good  e  -  nough  for     me. 

■*■         *-  °       m        •+-        m            m         m        -0-       •*-'•£•'      -0-         m 

C*  •  g * 0-  A — * — L 1 0 -0 0 — 

_| 1 

-0 -0-^—0-'—  0  — 

Lb     y — y      b 

HI 

M 


3 


-^— ^ 


4K- 
-0 — # 

-# — 0- 


» — »  •  *   -#    -i — * — # — l 


r 

1.  It    is  good  for  the  mourner,  It  is  good  for  the  mourner,  It  is 
A.*.*.-  +  +-  -*-    ■«-    -*■•  •*-    -0-    m      +.  f. 


I 


£ 


— K 
— #— 

— y- 


:*=*: 


T 


II 


good  for      the  mourner,    It      is    good  e  -  nough  for     me. 


=>i - y V — \-\-  ^ *- 


in 


2.  It  will  carry  you  home  to  heaven, 
It  will  carry  you  home  to  heaven, 
It  will  carry  you  home  to  heaven, 

It  is  good  enough  for  me. 

Oho.  —  Oh,  this  old  time  religion,  &c. 

3.  It  brought  me  out  of  bondage,  &c. 

Cho.— Oh,  this  old  time  religion,  &c. 

4.  It  is  good  when  you  are  in  trouble,  &c. 

Oho. — Oh,  this  old  time  religion,  &c. 


Cijr  &™  Virgins. 

3= 


199 


Five  of  them  were  wise  when  the   bride-groom  came, 


^3E 


2 


^  «j    1  J^j 


I 


Five  of  them  were    wise  when  the    bride -groom     came. 

ra at 


^_u_» — « — « — f      4   j    # 

— *      -        i     I    1  i_=- 


Repeat,  pp 


0      Zi-on,    0      Zi-on,    0     Zi-on,  when  the  bridegroom  came. 

■0  — 0— I  <S> « — r^"— -n 


2.  Five  of  them  were  foolish  when  the  bridegroom  came, 
Five  of  them  were  foolish  when  the  bridegroom  came. 

Cho.—O  Zion,  &c. 

3.  The  wise  they  took  oil  when  the  bridegroom  came, 
The  wise  they  took  oil  when  the  bridegroom  came. 

Cho.  — 0  Zion,  &c. 

d.  The  foolish  took  no  oil  when  the  bridegroom  came, 
The  foolish  t<>ok  no  oil  when  the  bridegroom  came. 
Cho.—O  Zion,  &c. 

5.  The  foolish  they  kept  knocking  when  the  bridegroom  came, 
The  foolish  thev  kept  knocking  when  the  bridegroom  came. 

Cho.—O  Zion,  Ac 

6.  Depart,  I  never  knew  you,  said  the  bridegroom,  then, 
Depart.  I  never  know  you,  said  the  bridegroom,  then. 

Cho.—O  Zion,  &c. 


200 


Slowly. 


^t  &XQ8t. 


1.  The  Jews  killed  poor  Jesus,     The  Jews  killed  poor  Jesus,     The 


h h K L# # » H H E— J 


g^4 — 


r? 


— i — | 1 < p^ ^ 1 ,-. 

-# — L  -# # — -* j # — JJ 


Jews  killed  poor  Je  -    sus, 


And    laid  him     in       a     tomb. 


tFFC 


^£± 


p — m — 0 — jl — pzzqj 

b b # » 1 3J 


'--4-M  --J-^==±==Ps=b-4-H  -f^3 N— s3 

He    a    -   rose, He     a  -    rose, He      a  - 


v—u- 


v     v 


Repeat  pp 


-->,  — N 


5=^: 


He   a  -  rose  and  went  to  heav-en    in 


IHIii 


a   cloud. 


2.  Then  down  came  an  angel, 
Then  down  came  an  angel, 
Then  down  came  an  angel, 

And  rolled  away  the  stone. 
Cho. — He  arose,  &c. 

3.  Then  Mary  she  came  weeping, 
Then  Mary  she  came  weeping, 
Then  Mary  she  came  weeping, 

A  looking  for  her  Lord. 
Cho.  —  He  arose,  &c. 


I 


jrabc  mc,  Horn,  Sabe. 


201 


E3 


2    * 


^ 


t 


^HH 


1.  I  called  to  my  la-ther,  my  fa-ther  hearkened  to  me,  And  the 


')-  J  Ig^gEggg^EE^ 


I 


S^E 


5 


C 0 Z2 L# ] ZL1 


last    word    I  heard  him   say,  was,  Save  me,  Lord,  save  me. 
0 r. : m—. *- 


5  f^r^fj— -z=nrzi±z±:F:^z^zrvU_^_z=^±3 

-0-  -0- 

And  I  wish  that  heav'n  was  a  mine,  And  I  hope  that  heav'n  will  a 


B:  : — CZL[:— I       ~~=" 


•     / 


V~?~ 


-*—*-!-* 


S^^g 


P~V 


/    • 


>-- N 


S 


-# — 0 — # — # — #- 


2 


#~*    -^     *    ^ 


ins 


be  mine,  And  I  wish  that  heav'n  was  a  mine,  0  save  me,  Lord,  save  me. 


p-p-  I \ 


V    V     >* 


2.  I  called  to  my  mother,  my  mother  hearkened  to  me, 

And  the  last  word  I  heard  her  say 
Was,  Save  me,  Lord,  save  me, 

Cho.  —  And  I  wish  that  heav'n  was  a  mine,  &c. 

3.  I  called  to  my  sister,  my  sister  hearkened  to  me,  &c. 

Cho. — And  I  wish  that  heav'n  was  a  mine,  Ac. 

4.  I  call  d  to  my  brother,  my  brother  hearkened  to  me,  Ac. 

Cho.—  And  I  wish  that  heav'n  was  a  mine,  Ac. 


202 


Judgment  toil!  finU  pu  sa. 


Just  as      you    live,  just  so      you    die,    And  af  -  ter  death, 


gifsfEE^^^E^E^B 


=t 


£: 


g 


t=t 


-« — 


Judg-ment     will  find    you       so.      1.   0     brethren,  brethren, 


9* 


#z=?- 


> ^=£__JJ 


*=?=0=i 


mmmm 


m 


watch  and    pray,     Judg-ment     will     find    you      so,     For 


d.  a 


m 


mms 


Sa-tan's  round  you  ev-'ry    day,  Judgment  will  find  you    so. 


2.  The  tallest  tree  in  paradise, 

Judgment  will  find  you  so  ; 
The  Christian  calls  the  tree  of  life, 
Judgment  will  find  you  so. 
Cho.  —Just  as  you  live,  &c. 

3.  Oh  !  Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb, 

Judgment  will  find  you  so  ; 
The  Lord  is  on  the  giving  hand, 
Judgment  will  find  you  so. 
Cho.—  Just  as  you  live,  &c. 


$K's  tijc  Eilij  of  t!)c  Uallnj. 


203 


* 


2 


He's  the      li  -  ly 


>4 


t£ 


the      val  -  ley,  Oh !      my 


£ 


^=f^ 


i 


Lord  ;  He's  the  li  -  ly      of     the  val  -  ley,       Oh,     my     Lord  ; 


g 


-* — h 


-0- 0- 


-9-r 


:? — 


-^-f 


m 


P 


1      3: 


1.  King  Je  -  sus    in     the    cha-riot  rides,    Oh !     my     Lord  ;  With 


*- * * «— ,f g- 


£    '* 


D.C. 


-I,;  jij^-i 


four  white  hors - es      side    by     side,       Oh!      my       Lord. 


■G- . 


£ 


i 


2.  What  kind  of  shoes  are  those  you  wear, 

Oh  !  my  Lord  ; 
That  you  can  ride  upon  the  air, 
Oh !  my  Lord. 

Cho.  —He's  the  lily  of  the  valley,  <fcc. 

3.  These  sho«-s  I  w.  ar  are  gospel  shoes, 

Oh  !  ray  Lord  ; 
And  you  can  wear  them  if  you  choose, 
Oh  !  my  Lord. 

Cho.—  He's  the  lily  of  the  valley,  &c. 


204 


prepare  us. 


_Q 

frfr  -Is ^ f^ R ' 1" 

:  ifv 

^ ■            K             K 

W      « «       J n       #   .   H-    ->> 

^ — 

— * 1 1 

death  shall  shake  this  frame.     1.    As 

0             9             e                             #      * 

I 

—m a 0 

go     down  the 

0*1    i         r    r    r 

•< 

B 

■^  &  »    »    #    ?    i 

7 

f     P     U     u 

i 


w 


~h 


* ^ -2" 


T 


HPt3 


V  [^  1/  V  •  •  !  5f 

stream    of     time,  When    death  shall   shake  this    frame,      I'll 


§ii 


d.  a 


9_^9 0 0 # 9- _}: -H— L -^ , 0 0 PXH 


•f        u/        V      V      V      V 
leave  this  sin-ful  world  behind,  When  death  shall  shake  this  frame. 


^i 


The  man  that  loves  to  serve  the  Lord, 

When  death  shall  shake  this  frame  ; 
He  will  receive  his  just  reward, 

When  death  shall  shake  this  frame. 
Cho. — Prepare  me,  &c. 
Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  cross, 

When  death  shall  shake  this  frame  ; 
Or  must  I  count  this  soul  as  lost, 

When  death  shall  shake  this  frame. 
Cho. — Prepare  me,  &c. 
My  soul  is  bound  for  that  bright  land, 

When  death  shall  shake  this  frame  ; 
And  there  I'll  meet  that  happy  band, 

When  death  shall  shake  this  frame. 
Cho. — Prepare  me,  &c. 


i**p  51)ip  te  an  tljc  ©cean. 


20.") 


■nt — is: — p^ ^     h      P       — 

~h — PS--N £»  -i    —I 1 — Ms — K — V 

0    '    '    TT^       ff    *    '  ■ 


•    *    •/     p   w    "  V    V    V 

My  ship  is    on    the  o-eeun.  My  ship  is    on    tho  o-cean,  My 


ci2i4jLtfi4:  r  i  rr  ii>  m  :i=*= 


o  S 

/L- N ?S N S- 

— N S |— 

:XJUiV-d*=fcH 

,ir     b    l<    b     b 

ship    is     on      the 

— # # 0 — 

-f-t?  ■  r 

o  -  cean,  Poor 

-0- 

-# — #MM*    II 

sin  -  ner,    fare  -  you  -  welL 

k:8    1 — f    ! 

-U-I  -V- 

4-_4-   _4_     #|i 

^5~ r     •  ■    S    r 

b    >    b — 0 

?   5    1 

-b— b — t/- — b— JJ 

I 


#-.- 


A- --4 


> 


-*-    ■*-#■*■     # 


1.  I'm    go  -  ing     a  -  way      to    see    the  good  old  Dan-iel,      I'm 


i- 


i 


r 


/>.  c. 


.v 


•-a 


9;s 


go 


ing 


way 


To 


see      my 


:F=F 


Lord. 


2.  I'm  going  to  see  the  weeping  Mary, 

I'm  going  away  to  see  my  Lord. 
Cho. — My  ship,  &c. 

3.  Oh  !  don't  yon  want  to  live  in  that  bright  glory  ? 

Oh !  don't  you  want  to  go  to  see  my  Lord  ? 
Cho. — My  ship,  <fcc. 


206 


J»ard)  ©n. 


1.  Way 


2* 


o  -  ver    in     the       E-  gypt  land,    You  shall  gain  the 


#  — 0 0- 

-0 0 0- 


0 


i 


ver    in     the        E  -  gypt   land, 


is 


2.  When  Peter  was  preaching  at  the  Pentecost, 

You  shall  gain  the  victory  ; 
He  was  endowed  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 
You  shall  gain  the  day. 
Cho.  -March  on,  &c. 

3.  When  Peter  was  fishing  in  the  sea, 

You  shall  gain  the  victory  ; 
He  dropped  his  net  and  followed  me, 
You  shall  gain  the  day. 
Cho.  -  March  on.  &c. 

4.  King  Jesus  on  the  mountain  top, 

You  shall  gain  the  victory ; 
King  Jesus  speaks  and  the  chariot  stops, 
You  shall  gain  the  day. 
Cho. — March  on,  &c. 


itti)  aatag'tf  cioutra.  207 

,1       I        fc     >■;=&£ 


Oa  I  breth-er-en,  my     way,  my  way's  clond-y,    ui,>     way,  Gk) 


^2.      JL      *. 


A     jSL 


o 


f= 


»  •    #   - 


r  ^        c             il 

k 

rV    5y               n             k_              ^ 

■T*         C1        ik        k.    1"        —  I"1 

j      i 

"V           *        #          1        «        J 

-J — /_^-HH--i— ;- 

Oh  !  breth-er  -  eu,      my 
A       ^L      M.      +.        42. 

=*=3* 

seud  them  au  -  gels  down, 

way, 
-£2- 

cv              *      f      r      * 

! 

— # # # 0 — 

—8? 

-,$> 

S    '*                r                           i 

*        j         j        *        *         j 

u       Vj    '  n 

1 

r 

f    y    p    C    w 

y      P     P     u* 

1 

r 

*H   3   ;rf.jJ^^44i-J  «i  /  j  11 


my  way's  cloud  -y,     my      way,  Go  send  them  an-gels  down. 

JL.        A.        J0L         JL      JSL  Ml-      *. 


1.  There'sfire  in  the  east  and  fire  in  the  west.  Send  them  ang<  Is  down,  And 

2.  Old   Sa  -  tan's  mad,  and  I   am  glad,  Send  them  angels  down,  He 

3.  I'll  tell  you  now  as  I  toll  you  before,  Sen  d  them  angels  down,  To 

4.  This  is      the     year  of   Ju  -  bi-lee,  Send  them  an  trels  down,  The 

*-  *-  ±  *-   0-. 

tf.rr.  r : 

\f    \j    U    if  -F- 


21  - 


■*» S K 


d.  a 


^^^PPI 


fir,-     a-mong  the  lfeth-0  -  (list,      0 

missed  the  soul  he  thought  be  had,    O 

the  promised  land  I'm  bound  to  go,  O 

Lord  has  come  and  set   us    free,     O 


send  them  an-gels  down, 
send  them  an-gels  down, 
send  them  an-gels  down, 
send  them  an-gels  down. 


208 


i&toe  on,  Iting  Jesus. 


?$*=*= 

3^ 

-H : 

* 

=1 

0 

* 

_£> 

§2^_^_ 

— & 1 

4- 

-i — 

U 

Eide  on,     King    Je  -  sus,      No    man    can    a     hin-der    me, 


^Jr^     •*+  *  -i'V-i^ 


Eide  on,   King    Je    -     sus, 


f^i^m^. 


No     man      can  a   hinder  me. 


--*— *- 


1.  I    was  but  young  when  I  begun,  No  man  can  a  hinder  me,  But 

D.C. 


3 


n 


aes 


—^  ^  J-^J. 


I 


now  my  race    is    almost  done,     No    man      can  a   kinder  me. 

2.  King  Jesus  rides  on  a  milk-white  horse, 

No  man  can  a  hinder  me  ; 
The  river  of  Jordan  he  did  cross, 
No  man  can  a  hinder  me. 
Gho.—  Eide  on,  &c. 

3.  If  you  want  to  find  your  way  to  God, 

No  man  can  a  hinder  me  ; 
The  gospel  highway  must  be  trod, 
No  man  can  a  hinder  me. 
Cho.  —  Eide  on,  &c. 


ftfyese  arc  mi>  jfatijer's  ttf)iftim 


s 


x  * — ^ — # 


Izmz^ 


These  are  my  Father's  children,  These  are  my  Father's  children, 


mm 


$*3=£=l 


fot 


wz^-mz: 


^TT  te!  i    1.-4- 

These  are    my   Father's    chil-dren,     All in     one  band. 


1.  And  I    soon  shall  be  done  with  the  troubles    of    the  world, 


209 


Troubles    of    the     world,     Troubles    of    the  world,    And    I 


19 9~ 


> 


y— j 


i 


soon   shall  be  done  with  the  troubles    of    the  world,    Go-ing 

d.  a 


home 


2.  My  brother 's  done  with  the  troubles  of  the  world,  Sac. 

Cho. — These  are  my  Father's  children,  &c. 

3.  My  sister 's  done  with  the  troubles  of  the  world,  <fcc. 

Cho. — These  are  my  Father's  children,  &c. 


Ivcign,  ©ij!  Keigit. 


>z± 


:=± 


Reign,  Oh  !  reign,     0     reign,    my       Sav  -  iour,  Reign,   Oh  ! 


-0 — 


— I— 


T 


m 


reign,     O    reign,  my    Lord.     1.   Takes  an  hum  -  ble    soul     to 


^p£ 


join 


■x-K—  J u- 


us     in       the      ser  -  vice    of      the     Lord, 


Takes    an 

d.  a 


hum -ble   soul      to     join     us     in      the       ar    -      my. 

2.  Here's  a  sinner  come  to  join  us  in  the  service  of  the  Lord, 
Here's  a  Bonner  come  to  join  us  in  the  army. 

Cho.  — Reign,  Oh  !  reign,  Szc. 

3.  Oh  !  ain't  you  glad  you've  joined  us  in  the  service  of  the  Lord  ; 
Oh  !  ain't  \.  ,u  L'ltd  y  u*ve  joined  us  in  the  army. 

Cho. — Reign,  Oh  !  reign,  &c. 

14 


& 


210 


Jfilatg  anir  JHartfja. 


h  h  1 

is 

— Z5— 

1 — 0 — # — 0 — #— 

m 

1.  Ma-ry 

and  a   Martha's  j  list 

•*•    ■*-    -0-       -0-        •#- 

-# — # — # — » — h*— 

I 

gone 

— #— 
— #— 

'long 

Ma-ry  and  a   Martha's 

T  1  f  f  L  '  =" 

=*-&-2-S-£= 

y   bH — 

=F=R- 

+- 

4— 

*     S     S     I     * 

z*=i 

;^? 


=*=^=*=1 


just  gone  long,  Ma  -  ry    and    a    Mar- tha's  just  gone 'long,  To 


^"1>    ^    i     14- 


E|^3^gi 


:— p4 


i  i  It 

ring  those  charming  bells ;  Cry-ing  free  grace  and  dy  -  ing   love, 


1 1 1 1 


:=f: 


I 


t 


■=\ 


tfi)\0     9 


^ 


I  III 

Free  grace  and  dy  -  ing  love,  Free  grace  and  dy  -  ing  love,   To 

■0-       -&-  -0-       •+•  -*9-  4—     -t—       •#-       -0-  '       -0- 


"i     r 


^ 


#.       07 


*  J  <* 


g=: 


1 


III  111 

ring  those  charming  bells.  Oh!  way  o-ver  Jordan.  Lord,  Way  o  -  ver 


^ 


i — r 


«? :  i  ^ 


§ 


F=F=FF 


211 


Hpni^toi^iii 


Jordan,  Lord,  Way  over  Jordan, Lord, To  hug  those  charming  bi  lis. 


i'A ',  f  r  iLfaggrrrrnnr :  i 


'-t~-f-l$-^ 


"i — i — r 

2.  The  preacher  and  the  cider's  just  goue  'loug,  &c. 

To  ring  those  charming  bells. 
Clio.— Crying,  free  grace,  <S:c. 

3.  My  father  and  mother's  just  gone  'long,  &c. 

To  ring  those  charming  bells. 
Cho.  —  Crying,  fr  e  grace,  &c. 

4.  The  Methodist  and  Baptist's  just  gone  'long,  &c. 

To  ring  those  charming  bells. 
Cho.  — Crying,  free  grace,  &c. 

£  ain't  going  to  fcie  no  more. 


•g  -j-\-&— L* ' H — l« — j — L*##  ^  .  #— ^ 


Oh !  ain't  I     glad,      Oh  !  ain't  I  glad,  Oh  !  ain't  I    glad,       I 


u 

i«  J*  js >  J*  >,  H j  II  j>  -eGus  j$-»-f-^ 

6 * — 0 — * — 0 — 0 — I— 9—  L0-  vLL-  0 0  ~L0 0 0 0 0 0 ' 

ain't  a  going  to  die  no  more;  1.  Going  to  meet  those  happy  Christians 


nr 


>  J.J*- 


!&=&= £=:*=£ 


:fc 


-0 — 0 — w—0 


soon-er      in      the     mcrn-ing,      Soon-er     in     the  morn-ing, 


r  •* 

\--*r*& — v 

S         "S         ^i         N         IS 

/m   *f       C   '     js 

-3- 

—0 — 

---* P P 

--S 9 0 

_S    _5    _£ N      * 

— 0 0 0 * 0 

— 0 ^ 

% 


Soon-er       in      the     morn-ing.    Meet  those  hap-py  Chris-tians 

D.  C. 


m — z 


SP n  *  /  f  ; 


* — • 


*-—-* 


»    » 


soon-er     in    the  morning,  I    ain't  a  going  to  die    no  more. 

2.  Going  shouting  home  to  glory  sooner  in  the  morning,  &c. 

Cho.—  Oh!  ain't  I  glad,  &c. 

3.  Going  to  wear  the  starry  crown  sooner  in  the  morning,  &c. 

Cho.—  Oh  !  ain't  I  glad,  &c. 

4.  "We'll  sing  our  troubles  over  sooner  in  the  morning,  &c. 

C7to.— Oh  !  ain't  I  glad,  <fcc. 


(Setting  Heairg  to  Ute. 


M 


3 


Get -ting  read-y 


to       die,      Get  -  ting  read  -  y 


to 


die,     Getting  read  -  y        to     die, 


Zi  -  on,        Zi 


B 


F? 


1.  When  I    set  out,  I    was  but  young,  Zi  -  on, 


Zi 


on. 


in 


— # — ■ 

But 
D.  C. 


m 


3: 


i=r 


on, 


now  my  race  is        al-most  run,        J 

2.  Religion  's  like  a  blooming  rose,  Zion,  Zion, 

And  none  but  those  that  feel  it  knows,  Zion,  Zion. 
Cho. — Getting  ready  to  die,  &c. 

3.  The  Lord  is  waiting  to  receive,  Zion,  Zion, 

If  sinners  only  would  believe,  Zion,  Zion. — Chorus. 

4.  All  those  who  walk  in  Gospel  shoes,  Zion,  Zion, 
This  faith  in  Christ  they'll  never  lose,  Zion,  Zion.— 


Chorus. 


ftfje  (general  iioil. 


i=K=fcd^J=^=^d^dzd 


i^t: 


4-m  *  P-J— 


3  — 


.K—|J S—+ 


* N- 


I'll  be  there,    I'll  be  there,     Oh  when  the  general  roll  is  called, 


h$MM^* 


■S-^-0-.-^-d-,     0 


N — i- Lv 


111  be  there.  1.  O   hal  -  le  -  lu  -  jah  to    the  Lamb,  The  general 
2.  Old  Sa  -  tan  told  me  not  to   pray,    The  general 


P 


-T- 


$• 


--fv 

— I — 

0-, 


roll      is  called,    111      be  there ;   The    Lord     is      on      the 
roll      is   called,    I'll      be  there  ;    He    wants   my    soul     at 

!_ __    __* 


-N i- 


+-+=*-*- 


giv-ing  hand,  The  gen- eral  roll     is  called,  I'll    be    there. 
Judgment  Day,  The  gen  -  eral  roll    is  called,  I'll    be    there. 


$'m  Eroufclctr  in  fHtntr. 


213 


[The  person  who  furnished  this  song  (Mrs.  Brown  of  Nashville,  formerly  a  6lave), 
stated  that  she  first  heard  it  from  her  old  lather  when  she  was  ■  ohild.  Alter  he  bad 
been  whipped  he  aiwa.s  |  went  and  sat  upon  a  eeitam  log  near  his  cabin,  and  with  the 
tears  streaming  down  his  cheeks,  sang  this  son^  with  so  much  pathos  that  few  could 
listen  without  weeping  from  sympathy  :  and  even  his  cruel  oppressors  were  not 
wholly  unmoved.] 


$0msm^ 


I      I      S=I 


fce_=^ 


*_i5L 


m 


I'm  troubh  d.I'm  troubled, I'm  troubled  in  mind,  If  Jesus  don't 


to 


•   G 


help  me,  I    sure-ly     will  die.     1.  0    Je-sus,  my   Saviour,  on 

to^E^=   =     =*     =**=* 


»—& 


4LjL 


0  -.  # 


m 


thee  I'll  depend,  When  troubles  are  near  mc,  you'll  be  my  true  friend. 

2.  When  ladened  with  trouble  and  burdened  with  grief, 
To  Jesus  in  secret  I'll  go  for  relief. 

Cho.— I'm  troubled,  &c. 

3.  In  dark  days  of  bondage  to  Jesus  I  prayed, 
To  help  me  to  bear  it,  and  he  gave  me  his  aid. 

Cho.—  I'm  troubled,  &c. 

I'm  going  to  Hibe  toitfj  Jesus. 


=*td= 


1.  I'm  going  to  live  with  Je  -  sus, 

2.  I've  start-ed  out   for  heav-en, 

3.  I     know  I  love  my  Je  -  sus, 

JL-J 


^^M^fete 


A  soldier  of  the  Ju-bi-lee,  I'm 
A  soldier  of  the  Ju-bi-lee,  I've 
A    soldier  of  the  Ju-bi-lee,  I 


S=^F3 


=fc=3 


going  to  live  with   Je  -  sus,  A      sol-dier   of    the     cross, 

start-ed  out    ior   heav-en,  A      sol-dier    of    the     cross, 

know  I    love   my    Je  -  sus,  A      sol-dier    of    the     cross. 


-N— fs- 


^= 


j    h  |   py_jbt=p|  i  m  ^ 


Oh!  when  you  get  there  remember  me,  A  soldier  of  the  Jubilee,  Oh! 


N--V 


M=t=} 


when  you  get  there  remember  me.  A     sol-dier  of    the     cross! 


214 


©!)!  let  me  get  up. 


k.      -Af^  


=TC 


1.  Oh!  just  let    me    get    up     in    the  house  of  God,  Just  let   me 


' — s- 


i^H 


:N — N- 


**-#••  "  -+  -0-  &  -+  9 

get    up     in     the  house  of  God,  Just  let    me    get    up     in     the 


1 


— h- 

■#— 


house  of    God,   And  I'll    nev-er    turnback    a  -  ny    more. 


■•  *— * 


-0 0- 

No     more,     no     more,    why     thank   God       al  -  might-y, 


i 


=Ex 


±£ 


No  more, 


I'll     nev  -  er    turn  back  a 


no  more,   1  n     nev  -  er   turn  oacK  a  -  ny    more. 

2.  Oh  !  just  let  me  get  on  my  long  white  robe,  &c 

3.  Oh !  just  let  me  get  on  my  starry  crown,  &c. 

4.  Oh!  just  let  me  get  on  my  golden  shoes,  &c. 

5.  Oh  !  the  music  in  the  heaven,  and  it  sounds  so  sweet,  &c. 

ffio,  cijatn  ri)e  Eton  troton. 


0  — Fh rr^K  — I N — -1 M — w 

^— F— -*r « — — — *  --Fh- 


Go,  chain  the  li  -  on  down,   Go,  chain  the  li  -  on  down,  Go, 


i 


A—*- 


w 


XE± 


mr-jH^-j-^ 


St    -W 

chain  the    li  -  on  down,  Be-fore  the  heav'n  doors  close.  1.  Do  you 


-5s  ~*s— N- 


K  — s\ — Ps  — N — N — N — i 1 -- 

K    H^-L  0— 0— 0 — 0  —0 j)— 


zfc 


see  that  good  old  sis-ter,  Coma  a  wagging  up  the  hill  so  slow,  She 

d.  a 


_p K  — i -P \ 4 

0 1  .    Js  #     ^ — frM 


wants  to  get  to  heav'n  in  due  time,  Be-fore  the  heav'n  doors  close. 


2.  Do  you  see  the  good  old  Christians?  &c. 

3.  Do  you  see  the  good  old  preachers  ?  &c. 


lU\)cn  ittoscs  smote  tfjc  MXattx.     215 


—* 


£=* 


<  <       •  <<  ^     k     • 

When    Mo -S6S  smote  the      wa-ter,     The    chil-dreu  all  passed 


!— £4"  "i~"H*— b> — '^—  g-F  £" 


i — # —  # — <? — . 

-» — » —  »     p— 

:£F~p— EEgzzd 


o  -  ver,  When  Moses  smote  the  wa  -  ter,  The  sea  gave    a  -  way. 
t^— * — # — 0 — ,  # £" — #-:—  #— r# — h" #—  "f — *-*-#— r# — « 

IV 0—0—0—0 0 0--—0-J-0 0  0      -l—  *         •—       j 


=pzzEr*zz=pzzzr^zz=rS 


r       *       k  y       k       y       y       y 

1.  O      chil  -  dren   ain't    you   glad   You've  left    that    sin  -  ful 


— i w w w — . 


d.  a 


ar  -  my 


O    chil-dren  ain't  you  glad  The  sea    gave 


-;: 


HS^ 


way? 


■0 — 

0 


tL-LT_ZI 


2.  O  Christians  ain't  you  glad 

You've  left  that  sinful  army? 
O  Christians  ain't  you  glad 
The  sea  gave  away? 

Clio.  —  When  Moses  smote,  &c 

3.  0  brothers  ain't  you  glad 

You've  left  that  sinful  army? 
O  brothers  ain't  you  glad 
The  sea  gave  sway? 

0io.  —When  Moses  smote,  <fco. 


216 


©1) !  Sinner  J&an 


^1=5 


iin-ner,  Oh! 


•Oh 
I  '  II 

Oh  !     sin-ner,     Oh !         sin-ner     man,       Oh !    sin-ner,  Oh ! 


# — 0--, 


■0—0- 


-w—»- 


i^*=*= 


33  M;  /Ijj-tf^ 


:g=g=ti:=U: 


m 


which  way   are    you    go  - ing  ?  1.  Oh!  comeback,  sinner,  and 


1    -fcg=£=&^=ra 


;S 


V-y- 


■*— # 


§3^ 


don't  go  there,  Which  way  are  you  going  ?  For  hell  is  deep,  and 


m. 


-m w—   -*—,—- — rm — ~m 


d.  a 


-8 — hu 


x 1 1- 


-0—  -•- — 


dark    des  -  pair,    Oh  !  which  way    are      you     go  -  ing ' 


life 


:*=§: 


2.  Though  days  be  dark,  and  nights  be  long, 

Which  way  are  you  going  ? 
We'll  shout  and  sing  till  we  get  home, 
Which  way  are  you  going  ? 
Cho.— Oh!  sinner,  &c. 

3.  *Twas  just  about  the  break  of  day, 

Which  way  are  you  going  ? 
My  sins  forgiven  and  soul  set  free, 
Which  way  are  you  going  ? 
Cho.  —  Oh!  sinner,  &c. 


217 


£Hi>  gootr  JLorVs  iccn  Jjcre. 

i  J     j-J 
:-f— gZ^ 


3^B5 


3^2=; 


^ 


My   good  Lord 's  been  here,      been     here, 


m 


been     here, 

p —  a    • 


t 


±=t 


iri§g 


p 


:« — £* J- 

> — « * 


t~tt 

My  good  Lord's  been  here,  And  he's  blessed  my  soul  and  gone. 


7ii 


m 


5= 


iSii 


s 


■JL-#J-=JL_4     a 


TT— ■ 


\*=&EE*EE 


0^ 


T 
1.  O     brothers,    where  were  yon,   broth  -  ers,    where  were  you, 

i   r 


:~: 


f=F 


- — ^ — t-  # 


F: 


j.  c. 


j- 


fe£ 


broth  -  ers,    where  were  you  When  my  good  Lord  was  here  ? 


^E^EE 


— t 


2.  0  sinners,  where  were  you,  &c. 

Cho.  —My  good  Lord's  been  here,  &c. 

3.  0  Christians,  whpre  were  you,  &c. 

Cho. — My  good  Lord's  been  here,  &c. 

4.  O  mournrrs,  whpre  were  you,  &c. 

Cho. — My  good  Lord's  been  here,  &c. 


218 


a  little  more  J^atti)  in  Jesus. 

~| I—    ' 


3i^? 


» 


All 


I      want,     All 


want,    All 


J^^^fe^E3 


I       want      is     a 


ft— =-i/—  S-q 


\JLV    k    k    k     h~h   f1   Mtv-fr 

— fc — b  — N — N— 

fog— -fe--fe^jL-ttJ      ^      jj      ft1    :|  [=*_£- 

-0 — 0 — 0 — 0 — 

^              ^        ?        ^           Lv        !v         U<        D 
p        p         |^           •        •         "         ^ 

lit  -  tie   more  faith  in    Je  -  sus.       1.  When-ev  -  er     we  meet 
*     *     *       t     *      -       - 

o*  i   P     5                        *     *    *M 

*"!•    ^     >        >       ^            .       0                 i        •II     ^ 

r*                     1 

-^  b                                  ^       i         L*       ^     •  1 1      v 

\                       1 

[/                                                               !             1/          •        .|| 

-f-rb- 

N, 

^ 

N, 

1 



■^ 

K 

Am.  7 

?*" 

J * 

# 

~p~ 

1  — 

-r~ 

rcTr 

j 

J 

t 

tnS 

-Js 

•p 

"  K 

0 

t^- 

J 

/OU 

here 

we 

0 
say. 

A 

lit  - 

.ft. 

1 

tie 

u 

more 

faith 

■0- 

in 

Je- 

sus, 

0 

Pray 

C±'-L 

if" 

"m 

-#— 

0 

9 

"¥ 

^r- 

-*- 

-7- 

z*M: 

k 

»9 

=S- 

" 

\j 

'^ 

V 

v. 

P- 

s 

U 

1 

L 

B.C. 

\ 

^ 

|k, 

1 

-N- 

K 

\v     in 

— P 

— |- 

1— 

— *1 

-b 

Ffi 

p 

i    ^ 

B 

ikm 

_^._ 

— #— 

=#=£=- 

0 

• 

i  j\ 

£* 

what's 

the 

or- 

der 

of 

0 

the  day? 

A 

*        0        0       Tl 

lit-tlamore  faith  in 
.ft.  ft.  ft.     ^_    ^ 

-  ,-j it- —  i — 

Je- 

sus. 
J — n 

9: 

rb— ^— 

y» 

** 

•f   • 

M 

-•— - 

— — 

"rf- 

-»— 

« 

-±^' 

\ 

\ 

7 

-y 

-tP- 

w- 

-i — 

— y- 

-jy— 

-V 

^  v  - 

-t»- 

-Lv- 

F 

p- 

I  tell  you  now  as  I  told  you  before, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus, 

To  the  promised  land  I'm  bound  to  go, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus. 
Cho. — All  I  want,  &c. 


Oh  !  Hallelujah  to  the  Lamo, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus, 

The  Lord  is  on  the  giving  band, 

A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus. 

Cho.— AU  I  want,  &c. 


I  do  believe  without  a  doubt, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesas, 

That  Christians  have  a  right  to  shout, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus. 
Cho. — All  I  want,  &c. 


Shout,  you  children,  shout,  you're  free, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus, 

For  Christ  has  bought  this  liberty, 
A  little  more  faith  in  Jesus. 
Clco. — All  I  want,  &c. 


Din  oot  olo  yijataolj  get  lost?       219 


,  I  "•  •  p   *     J    J  =E 


n— I— r3 


LI-    saac   a    ran-soin,  while  he  lay     Up -on    an     al  -  tar 


!    !    :    I  k^-ft  !    ,    I  I  I 


bound,  Mo  -  ses,  an  infant  cast  away,  By  Pharaoh's  daughter  found. 


*hMjhI,1.  jl 


II         I        W      W      I  I  II 

Did  not     old   Pha-raoh  get   lost,      get    lost,      get   lost,     Did 


•): 


S=vIEEEE^£ 


-# — 


<>-• 


5=  t= 


eees 


1     1     n  -f~~i~ 

=* — * — n—n—n- 

1     1     rn 

not     old     Pha-*aoh  get 


ZZ 


lost 


in     the       Red 


9  b  r    r    el  r  i r    b  rr 


^_^»_ 


:E=! 


2.  Joseph,  by  his  false  brethren  6old, 

God  raised  above  them  all  ; 
To  Hannah's  child  the  Lord  foretold 
How  Eh's  house  should  fall. 
Cho.—  Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  kc. 

3.  The  Lord  Raid  unto  Moses, 

Go  unto  Pharaoh  now. 
For  I  have  hardened  Pharaoh's  heart, 
To  me  he  will  not  bow. 
Cho.— Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  kc. 

4.  Then  Moses  and  Aaron, 

To  Pharaoh  did  go, 
Thus  says  the  God  of  Israel, 
Let  ray  people  go. 

Chu'.—  Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  kc. 

5.  Old  Pharaoh  Hid  who  is  the  Lord, 

That  I  should  Him  obey? 
His  nairn-  it  is  Jehovah, 
r<»r  he  bean  his  people  pray. 
Cfte.— Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  kc. 

6.  Thr-n  Hoses  nam 

Through  all  the  land  al 
Baying,  children,  do  not  murmur. 
But  hear  the  word  of  God. 

Cho.—  Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  kc. 


7.  Hark  !  hear  the  children  murmur, 

They  cried  aloud  for  bn  ad, 
Down  came  the  hidden  manna, 
The  hungry  soldiers  fed. 
Cho.— Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  &c. 

8.  Then  Moses  said  to  Israel, 

As  they  stood  along  the  shore, 
Your  enemies  you  see  to-day, 
You  will  never  see  no  more. 
Cho. — Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  &c. 

9.  Then  down  came  raging  Pharaoh, 

That  you  may  plainly  see, 
Old  Pharaoh  and  his  1 
Got  Lost  in  the  Red  Sea. 

Cho.—  Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  &c. 

10.  Then  men,  and  women,  and  children 

To  Moses  they  did  flock  ; 
They  cried  aloud  for  water. 
And  Moses  smote  the  rock, 

Cho.— Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  &c. 

11.  And  the  Lord  spoke  to  Mo 

From  Sinai's  smoking  top, 

Saying.  Moses,  lead  the  people, 
Till  I  shall  bid  vou  stop. 
Cho.—  Did  not  old  Pharaoh,  kc. 


INDEX    TO    MUSIC. 


Preface  to  the  Music. 


page 

,  .  163 


Nobody  knows  the  Trouble  I  Bee, 

Lord      166 

Swing  low,  sweet  Chariot 1G6 

Room  Enough 167 

O,  Redeemed 168 

From  every  Graveyard 16'J 

Children,  we  all  shall  be  Free.   ...  170 

Roll,  Jordan,  Roll 171 

Turn  back  Pharaoh's  Army 172 

I'm  a  Rolling 173 

Didn't  my  Lord  deliver  Daniel.  ...  174 

I'll  hear  the  Trumpet  Sound 176 

Rise,  Mourners 17<> 

I've  just  come  from  the  Fountain.    .  177 

Gwiue  to  ride  up  in  the  Chariot.     .  .  178 

We'll  die  in  the  Field 179 

Children,  you'll  be  called  on 180 

Give  me  Jesus 180 

The  Rocks  and  the  Mountains.  ...  181 

Go  down,  Moses 182 

Been  a  Listening 184 

Keep  me  from  Milking  Down 185 

I'm  a  travelling  to  the  Grave.    ...  180 

Many  Thousand  Gone 186 

Steal  Away 187 

He's  the  Lord  of  Lords 188 

Judgment  Day  is  rolling  Round.  .  .  189 

The  Gospel  Train 190 

Shine,  Shine 191 

Old  Ship  of  Zion 102 

In  the  River  of  Jordan 1U3 1 


We'll  stand  the  Storm 194 

I'm  so  Glad 195 

Come,  let  us  all  go  Down 196 

Ziou's  Children 196 

0  I   Holy  Lord 197 

This  Old  Time  Religion 198 

The  Ten  Virgins 199 

Die  Arose 200 

Save  me,  Lord,  Save 201 

Judgment  will  find  you  so 202 

He's  the  Lily  of  the  Valley 203 

Prepare  Us 204 

My  Ship  is  on  the  Ocean 205 

March  On 206 

My  Way's  Cloudy 207 

Ride  on,  King  Jesus 208 

These  are  my  Father's  Children.  .  .  208 

Reign,  O  !  Reign 209 

Mary  and  Martha 210 

1  ain't  going  to  die  no  more 211 

Getting  Ready  to  Die 212 

The  General  Roll 212 

I'm  Troubled  in  Mind 213 

I'm  going  t>  Live  with  Jesus.     .  .  .  213 

O  !  let  me  get  up 214 

Go,  Chain  the  Lion  Down 214 

Win  n  Moses  smote  the  Water. .  .  .  215 

O  !  Sinner  Man 216 

My  good  Lord's  been  here 217 

A  little  more  Faith  in  Jesus 218 

Did  not  Old  Pharaoh  get  Lost  ?    .      219 


THE 

AMERICAN  MISSIONARY  ASSOCIATION 

Has  under  its  care  in  the  South, 

1st.   CHARTERED  INSTITUTIONS. 

Hampton  Normal  and  Agricultural   Institute, 

Hampton,  Va. 
Berea  College,  Berea,  Ky. 

Fisk  University,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Atlanta  University,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
Talladega  College,  Talladega,  Ala. 
Tongaloo  University,  Tongaloo,  Miss. 
Straight  University,  New  Orleans,  La. 

2d.    GRADED  AND  NORMAL  SCHOOLS. 

Williston  School,  Wilmington,  N.  C. 

Washburn  Seminary,  Beaufort,  N.  C. 

Avery  Institute,  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Brewer  Normal  School,  Greenwood,  S.  C. 

Lewis  High  School,  Macon,  Ga.  • 

Beach  Institute,  Savannah,  Ga. 

Storrs  School,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Emerson  Institute,  Mobile,  Ala. 

Swayne  School,  Montgomery,  Ala. 

Lincoln  School,  Marion,  Ala. 

Trinity  School,  Athens,  Ala. 

Burrell  School,  Selma,  Ala. 

Howard  School,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Le  Moyne  Normal  and  Commercial  School, 

Memphis,  Tenn. 
Howard  School,  Lexington,  Ky. 

Ely  Normal  School,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Union  Academy,  Columbus  Miss. 

Barnes  Institute,  Galveston,  Texas. 

Normal  School.  Pine  Bluff,  Ark. 


c,  trcni|. 


rations  founded  and  fostered  in  the  South  by 
(iation  of  I  k.     These  are  desi 

orough  and  Christian    education    within  the 
Df  color  and  previous  condition  of  servitude  " 
>  and  universities  of  the  South, 
uction  to  several  thousand  students,  and  has 
(for  the  public  schools.     It  now  has  a  Fresh-  £*D 
n  to  full  classes  in  the  Normal  and  Academh 
buildings  have  answered  well  the  demam: 
suited  to  immediate  and  future  requiremc 
near  the  business  part  of  the  city,  and  the 
i  structures,  erected  for  a  hospital  during  the  JR 

propriate  buildings  have  become  an  absolute 

ILEE   SINGERS, 

by  Mr.  Geo.  L.  White,  the  Treasurer,  raised 
:o  increase  to  $70,000. 
1  a  beautifully  located  plot  of  land  conf' ' 
evidentially  to  have  been  kept  ••' 

I  Jubilee  Hall, (a  cutofwh5'' 
sarv  of  the  permane*-' 
begun,  and  w:'' 

II  justifv 
th* 


work  1 
'  student, 
rpartmen 
;h  a  reviva 
eviou- 
e  protc 
>k  Un: 
d. 

idence.  coi. 
,  with  the 
intere  • 
yield  la:  g 


o 


_> 


Reade  St..  New  York,  Jan.  1873. 


•  ncert- 

The 

oncert  of 

.  slight  110- 

When 

rt,"  at 

of  the 

ians,   "a 

lei    on 

1  ;  and 

torios, 

i nstru- 

great 

1  were  five 

r  with 

on  Thurs- 

The   ex- 

f  £299 


it 


Teat 

ime 

eir 


think 
■  ink   I 


idorsl 


to  believe  tin 
can  attain 
I  have  in< 
pies  of  their 
wrong  that  is  1 
critical,  but  a| 
bug  and  false 
and  in  singinj 
pise  the  man 
popular  applal 
the  singer  wh| 
one  should  dol 
sing  honestly 
right  and  just| 
am  perfectly 
Quixotic  one, 
my  views. 

Pupil.  We] 
ers  than  you 

Mr.  It.  1  11 
blache  and  St.- 
possible,  thou^ 
guide  i! 

tone  singer  \vl  [ 
Staudigl.      He 
singer,  which 
a  faithful  stud. 

hie.     He  oouldl 

that  lie  WM  SO 
*  wondl 

V    fttld    Il| 

all  win 
man  when  he  1 

aim  f<>r  making 

auty  of  the   \| 

I  tin| 

aid  htf 

■ 

|uentl 

tor  both. 

ing  a  charming 


JX1W    ^O 


II 


■ 


